Second Nature 2026: Full Schedule

8:00am CDT

Check in and Welcome Table

Saturday October 24, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am CDT

Discovery Center

Saturday October 24, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am CDT
Discovery Center

8:00am CDT

Morning Activities

Saturday October 24, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT

Discovery Center Front Patio

Speakers

Sean Shaffer

Nature Engagement Specialist, Chicago Park District

Sean (he/him) has been doing informal early childhood and environmental education for over 30 years from Kohl Children's Museum, The Chicago Academy of Sciences, the Shedd Aquarium and The Chicago Park District. In his latest role, he helps create Nature Play Spaces in Parks, designed... Read More →

Joyce Hemphill

Retired Faculty, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Joyce is a mother, grandmother, play advocate, author, and retired professor from UW-Madison. Since 2018 she has helped with ChiTaG’s Play in Education Conference. In 2021 she received the U.S. Play Coalition’s Youth Development Practitioner Award. Her favorite ways to play include... Read More →

Josie Scheinholtz

Student, Middle School

Josie Scheinholtz is a 7th grader attending middle school in Illinois. She has enjoyed presenting twice at The Play Coalition Conference in Bloomington, Indiana. She is passionate about the violin and in her spare time also enjoys the outdoors, drawing, baking, and video games.

Saturday October 24, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Discovery Center Front Patio

9:00am CDT

Welcome and Introduction

Saturday October 24, 2026 9:00am - 9:20am CDT

Savannah

Saturday October 24, 2026 9:00am - 9:20am CDT
Savannah

9:20am CDT

Keynote Address

Saturday October 24, 2026 9:20am - 10:30am CDT

Savannah

Speakers

Jessica Fong

Jessica Fong is an equity‑centered educator, researcher, and community advocate who has spent more than fifteen years strengthening early childhood, dual language, and nature‑based learning across Chicago. Born in Chicago and of Guatemalan heritage, she began her teaching journey... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 9:20am - 10:30am CDT
Savannah

Accessibility & Inclusion

10:45am CDT

All the Classroom's a Stage

Saturday October 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT

TBD - Outdoor

Nature preschool classrooms are open spaces like theater stages. With this analogy, explore strategies for teachers balancing the role of director, stage hand, writer, and actor while supporting the daily routine. The class must go on!

Speakers

Madeline Cole

Saturday October 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
TBD - Outdoor

Accessibility & Inclusion

10:45am CDT

Books Break Barriers! The Blueberry Awards, the Best Kids' Nature Books!

Saturday October 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT

TBD - Indoor

Great nature books break down barriers between kids and the natural world! Learn about award winning nature books to make your critical work easier and gain new insights into book selection to create engagement and avoid climate anxiety in kids.

Speakers

Martha Meyer

Library Assistant and Blueberry Award Founder, Evanston Public Library

Martha Meyer is a library paraprofessional in the Early Learning and Literacy Department at Evanston Public Library, specializing in both infant/toddler literacy and on theater programming for elementary school kids. She spent years sharing new nature books with local preschool teachers... Read More →

Betsy Bird

Collection Development Manager, Evanston Public Library

Betsy Bird is the Collection Development Manager at Evanston Public Library, a published author of books for both kids and adults, and a blogger for School Library Journal. Librarians across the country rely on her book recommendations. She's served on national award committees and... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
TBD - Indoor

Accessibility & Inclusion

10:45am CDT

Beyond Access: An Adult-Centric Approach to Removing Barriers to Play

Saturday October 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT

TBD - Indoor

This session centers the adult role in children’s access to play. Through reflection, dialogue, and shared practice, participants explore how adult beliefs, habits, and systems shape children’s freedom, risk-taking, and belonging.

Speakers

Kisa Marx

Kisa Marx is the founder of The Play Lab Foundation. With over 25 years in early childhood education and 17 years running a family child care program, her work and writing center access, equity, play, and liberation. She is an author and speaker focused on designing environments that... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
TBD - Indoor

Spaces & Experiences

10:45am CDT

Cultivating Partnerships for Inclusive Learning in Garden Spaces

Saturday October 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT

TBD - Indoor

Chicago Botanic Garden Nature Preschool has a partnership TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804, an organization that provides inclusive services for all learners. Participants will learn about this partnership and how to encourage collaboration.

Speakers

Emma Walter

Coordinator, Early Childhood Programs & Assistant Preschool Director, Chicago Botanic Garden Nature Preschool

Ann Halley

Director of Early Childhood Programs & Nature Preschool Director, Chicago Botanic Garden

Ann Halley founded the Chicago Botanic Garden Nature Preschool in 2016, a nature-based, emergent program that connects children to the natural world. Ann is passionate about inclusion and accessibility and helped establish a partnership with TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804... Read More →

Hannah Grant

Lead Teacher, Chicago Botanic Garden

Hannah Grant has been a nature educator for 14 years. She's been at the Chicago Botanic Garden Nature Preschool for the last 8 years, where she cultivates an emergent curriculum that is engaging and accessible to all learners. She believes every child should be able to play outsi... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
TBD - Indoor

Spaces & Experiences

10:45am CDT

Designing for Play: Environmental Affordances that Support Imaginative and Expressive Play

Saturday October 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT

TBD - Indoor

This presentation will explore the dynamic relationship between environmental affordances and play and discuss practical solutions to enhance children's imaginative and expressive play experiences in outdoor spaces.

Speakers

Dr. Divya Sood

Full Professor, Occupational Therapy Program, Midwestern University

Dr. Divya Sood, OTD, OTR/L, is a Professor in the Occupational Therapy Program at Midwestern University in Downers Grove. She is an occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience, conducting research focused on developing intervention models to support the participation of... Read More →

Hailey Shah

Student - Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program, Midwestern University

Haliey Shah has a B.S. In Kinesiology from Indiana University-Bloomington. She is currently a third-year Occupational Therapy student at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL. She is also a part of Pi Theta Epsilon, an honors society for occupational therapy students and alumni... Read More →

Susanna Eskandar

Student - Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program, Midwestern University

Susanna Eskandar holds a B.S. in psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is currently a second-year Occupational Therapy student at Midwestern University. She is also a Tiered Occupational Therapy (TOT) scholar, learning to collaborate with school communities to... Read More →

Chrissy Schoepf

Student - Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program, Midwestern University

Chrissy Schoepf is a first-generation honors student pursuing her Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) at Midwestern University. She also works in a rehabilitation clinic and provides home health care for an individual with cerebral palsy. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
TBD - Indoor

Spaces & Experiences

10:45am CDT

Not a Stick! But was a Stick: making toys and tools from sticks

Saturday October 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT

TBD - Outdoor

Empower the youngest students to use sticks and simple tools to make toys and tools. we will make magical musical whammy doodles, Spinning Ron Rons, mallets, fairy furniture and more!

Speakers

Sean Shaffer

Nature Engagement Specialist, Chicago Park District

Saturday October 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
TBD - Outdoor

Spaces & Experiences

10:45am CDT

Where Learning Breathes: Infant learning outdoors

Saturday October 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT

TBD - Hybrid

As a Reggio-inspired and nature-based program, even our youngest learners spend a significant time outdoors. We will share how we achieve this and provide tips and tricks that you can implement the youngest in your program.

Speakers

Jenny Guavara

Teacher, Mill Creek Early Childhood Program

Jenny possesses three years of experience with infants at Mill Creek Early Childhood Program, a Reggio-inspired, nature-focused educational setting. Noting that early learners are frequently underrepresented at conferences, Jenny is dedicated to supporting fellow infant educators... Read More →

Emily Braunsky

Mill Creek Early Childhood Program

Emily has five years of experience working with children, including three years at Mill Creek Early Childhood Program, a Reggio-inspired and nature-based setting. She continually seeks out innovative experiences and opportunities for infants and is eager to share her expertise.

Saturday October 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
TBD - Hybrid

Spaces & Experiences

11:45am CDT

Lunch and Author's Tables

Saturday October 24, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm CDT

Bison Pavilion

Saturday October 24, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm CDT
Bison Pavilion

12:45pm CDT

Nature Play: From Toddlers To Teens

Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT

TBD - Indoor

Speakers

Brenda Rivera

Early Childhood Programs Coordinator, Lincoln Park Zoo

Brenda Rivera is the Early Childhood Coordinator at Lincoln Park Zoo, where she focuses on nature-play based programming. With over 6 years of experience facilitating programs for toddlers and their adults, she also supports zoo volunteers and interns in creating meaningful moments... Read More →

British-Amber Thomas

Community Engagement Coordinator, Brookfield Zoo Chicago

British-Amber is an emerging voice in conservation, bringing over three years of experience as a Community Engagement Coordinator at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. With a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Central State University and certification as an Interpretive Guide through the... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT
TBD - Indoor

Accessibility & Inclusion

12:45pm CDT

Exploring Connections Between Children, Spirituality, Nature, and Community: A multifaith, multidisciplinary dialogue

Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT

TBD - Indoor

This thought-provoking panel, followed by group dialogue, will explore individual and community connections between children, nature, and spirituality; with an emphasis on environmental issues that impact children and their communities.

Moderators

Dave Becker

Minister, Interfaith Chaplain, Educator, Activist, Tree of Life and Prairie Circle Unitarian Universalist Congregations

Dave serves as minister for two Unitarian Universalist congregations in Illinois- the Tree of Life UU Congregation in McHenry and the Prairie Circle UU Congregation in Grayslake. Dave brings with him a wealth of experience from his 15+ year career in social services and 27+ year... Read More →

Speakers

Dr. Sheila Williams Ridge

Director, University of Minnesota Child Development Lab

Sheila Williams Ridge is the Director of the Shirley G. Moore Lab School at the University of Minnesota. She has a BA in Biology and a MA in Education, as well as experience as a business manager and preschool teacher/naturalist. She is a facilitator for the NAEYC Young Children and... Read More →

Margie Pines

Founder, Ta'am Teva Nature Based Preschool

Margie Pines is the founder and director of Ta’am Teva Nature Preschoool. Margie has over 15 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She holds a Nature Based Early Childhood Certificate from Antioch University. She received the 2017 Sue Pinsky Award for Excellence in Jewish... Read More →

Gina Roxas

Executive Director, Trickster Cultural Center

Gina Roxas, a citizen of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, and serves as the Executive Director of Trickster Cultural Center. She brings a holistic approach to her work, drawing from traditional teachings passed down by her grandmother and family, as well as her academic background... Read More →

Michael and Amelia Howard

Founders, Eden Place Nature Center & Farms

In the late 1990s, Michael and Amelia Howard led the effort to clean up a three-acre vacant lot near their Fuller Park residence that was piled two stories high with illegally dumped waste. With help from many in the community, the site was cleared of debris and restored into a thriving... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT
TBD - Indoor

Policy & Advocacy

12:45pm CDT

Breaking Barriers: Navigating Policies and Procedures

Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT

TBD - Indoor

Mill Creek Early Childhood Program is dedicated to outdoor adventures beyond a schools' grounds! They'll showcase policies and procedures stamped by the powers-that-be, plus open a brainstorming session on ideas and strategies for implementation.

Speakers

Ilana Marczak

Owner/Founder, Mill Creek Early Childhood Program

Ilana has over 25 years of experience in ECE. She holds a B.A. in early childhood education, an Illinois Director Credential and is a PDS Specialist. In 2015, her and her husband founded Mill Creek Early Childhood Program, a Reggio-inspired, nature-based program.

Valerie DeMeritt

Pedagogista, Mill Creek Early Childhood Program

Valerie holds a B.A. in Elementary Education. She taught Kindergarten for 10 years, taught at a Montessori school for 10 years and has been at Mill Creek ECP for the past 5 years as the school Pedagogista.

Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT
TBD - Indoor

Spaces & Experiences

12:45pm CDT

Creating Nature Art with Natural, Reusable and Repurposed Materials

Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT

TBD - Outdoor

Creating nature based art doesn’t have to be just sticks, wood cookies and pine cones. You will discover ways to make art with a limited budget using typical art supplies, natural materials, repurposed materials and more!

Speakers

Jenna Downing

Teacher, Oak Leaf Northwest Nature School

Jenna is a teacher with Oak Leaf Northwest Nature School and owns Adrift & Found Art Studio. She has a Masters in Education from DePaul, a BA in Communication Studies/Minor in Art from the University of Iowa and Level 1 Nature Based Teacher Certification from the Association for... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT
TBD - Outdoor

Spaces & Experiences

12:45pm CDT

Designing for Discovery: Hands-On Nature Play Aligned to Illinois Early Learning Standards

Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT

TBD - Outdoor

Participants will work in collaborative groups designing standards-aligned nature play activities using natural materials and loose parts. Participants will leave with concrete ideas they can immediately adapt for their own early childhood settings, as well as tools for planning future standards-aligned nature play experiences with intention and confidence.

Speakers

Dr. Lindsay Maldonado

Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Education, Northeastern Illinois University

Lindsay holds a Ph.D. in Child Development. She is Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education at Northeastern Illinois University, and currently serves on the NINPA Board of Directors.

Stacy Niemiec

Founder, Executive Director, & Teacher, River Oak Co-op Outdoor Preschool

Stacy holds a BS in Environmental Science, an MS in Child Development, and a certificate in Ecotherapy. She is a founder and teacher at River Oak Co-op, a fully outdoor preschool program in Chicago. Her focus is providing a play-based, child-led program where children can find joy... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT
TBD - Outdoor

Spaces & Experiences

12:45pm CDT

Oh, Deer! : Exploring Trees & Me and Growing Up WILD Curriculum

Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT

TBD - Hybrid

Learn more about EEAI and our diverse continuing education opportunities. Explore several Project Learning Tree activities and create and take home solid examples to immediately implement in your lessons.

Speakers

Karly Tumminello

Director/Curator, Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University

Brekke Bounds

Executive Director, Environmental Education Association of Illinois

Brekke Bounds, the Executive Director of the Environmental Education Association of Illinois, is an experiential educator with over 20 years of experience teaching across multiple subjects and across all ages. She is currently focused on training adult educators to bring environmental... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT
TBD - Hybrid

Spaces & Experiences

12:45pm CDT

The Classroom Prairie: Restoring Early Childhood Education

Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT

TBD - Outdoor

Children are expected to do more at an earlier age, oftn causing unnecessary issues. This session connects basic land restoration principles to early childhood education and shows how prairies are perfect metaphors for successful classrooms.

Speakers

Peter Dargatz

Nature Kindergarten Teacher, Hamilton School District

While his claim to fame might be as a retired racing sausage for the Milwaukee Brewers, Peter Dargatz is prouder for being a father of three nature-loving children, a national board certified teacher, and the coordinator of a well-respected, public school nature kindergarten program... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT
TBD - Outdoor

Spaces & Experiences

2:00pm CDT

Embracing Nature: Integrating Outdoor Learning Principles into Education

Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

TBD - Outdoor

Discover innovative, practical strategies for integrating nature-based learning into early childhood settings. Explore some of the key elements of authentic nature-based experiences—including sit spots, loose parts, and environmental stewardship.

Speakers

Alysa Meeks

Director, The Nest Nature School

Alysa Meeks is the current Director of The Nest Nature School in Boerne, TX. She holds a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, OH and has been in Early Childhood for 14 years, with 8 of those years being in Nature-Based programs... Read More →

Emily Smith

Certified Trainer, Texas Early Child Professional Development System

Emily Smith holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University. She is a certified nature educator through Association for Nature Based Education and a registered trainer through Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System. She has been in education for... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
TBD - Outdoor

Accessibility & Inclusion

2:00pm CDT

Imagination in Action: Teaching Conservation Through Play and Storytelling

Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

TBD - Outdoor

Spark curiosity, wonder, and empathy in young children through play and storytelling. This hands-on session shows how nature-based, imaginative experiences make big ideas accessible and inspire children to care for the environment.

Speakers

Emily Shatoff

Community Engagement Coordinator, Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Emily has seven years of experience in informal science education at zoos and museums. She has a B.S. in Middle Childhood Education from Miami University and is pursuing a master’s in Biology through Project Dragonfly. Emily is also a Certified Interpretive Guide, which she uses... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
TBD - Outdoor

Accessibility & Inclusion

2:00pm CDT

Nature Within Reach: Supporting Home Childcare Providers in Meaningful Outdoor Practice

Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

TBD - Indoor

Home educators working in small or shared spaces will learn realistic ways to bring nature into everyday practice through practical guidance, gentle mindset shifts, and relationship-centered approaches that build confidence.

Speakers

Suzette Salmon

Home Educator, Lil Bebe Academy

Suzette Salmon is the owner of Lil Bebe Academy, a nature-based home childcare certified by the National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, and Monarch Watch. She has a degree in child psychology, is a consultant, and authored Overcoming Home Daycare Burnout and co-authored... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
TBD - Indoor

Policy & Advocacy

2:00pm CDT

Adopt a Tree: An Accessible, Multidisciplinary Project

Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

TBD - Hybrid

Adopting a class tree is a rewarding experience that builds scientific observation and literacy skills, emotional development, and environmental kinship. We will explore ways to get started and maintain student engagement throughout the seasons.

Speakers

Melanie Stewart-Clarke

Nature Preschool Teacher, Chicago Botanic Garden Nature Preschool

Melanie is currently a teacher at the Chicago Botanic Garden Nature Preschool. She has been teaching environmental education for well over a decade in various settings across the Midwest to audiences of all ages. She has a Master's of Environmental Education from the University of... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
TBD - Hybrid

Spaces & Experiences

2:00pm CDT

Loose Parts Possibilities : How Natural Materials Spark Young Imaginations

Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

TBD - Indoor

Discover the power of nature-based loose parts. Explore how open-ended materials spark curiosity, problem-solving, and sensory-rich language while fostering learning, creativity, and environmental stewardship.

Speakers

Marni Nissen Olmstead

Consultant and PD provider, Reggio Chicago

With 30+ years of experience, Marni is a passionate educator and former Columbia College Chicago professor. She currently provides professional development and instructional coaching aimed at creating dynamic, curiosity-driven learning environments that foster foundational skills... Read More →

Amy Marie Ewaldt

Consultant, Chicago Reggio

Amy Marie Ewaldt is a Reggio Emilia informed consultant for Reggio Chicago. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and has worked in progressive education for over 20 years. Her credentials include Illinois K–8 teaching license, Gateways Director Level III certification, WI Registry... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
TBD - Indoor

Spaces & Experiences

2:00pm CDT

Navigating a Changing Climate in Early Childhood Programs

Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

TBD - Indoor

This session will focus on ways to support children and families in a changing climate. We will discuss how programs can find support and guidance to navigate these difficulties and inspire hope and action.

Speakers

Dr. Sheila Williams Ridge

Director, University of Minnesota Child Development Lab

Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
TBD - Indoor

Spaces & Experiences

2:00pm CDT

Water Coloring with Natural Pigments

Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

TBD - Hybrid

Let’s spend some time water coloring with pigments found in our natural landscape and in our kitchens/classrooms. You will spend time painting and we will walk through the process of making a pigment.

Speakers

Renee Costanzo

Program Specialist, Chicago Park District

Renee Costanzo is the program specialist at Kilbourn Park's Greenhouse. She has been working for the Chicago Park District teaching early childhood and nature education for over 12 years. She runs the educational programming at the greenhouse and manages the surrounding gardens both... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
TBD - Hybrid

Spaces & Experiences

3:00pm CDT

Return evaluations, Continuing Education and Gateways

Saturday October 24, 2026 3:00pm - 3:15pm CDT

Discovery Center

Saturday October 24, 2026 3:00pm - 3:15pm CDT
Discovery Center

Second Nature 2026

From $95.00

Success you have shared X tickets.

8:00am CDT

8:00am CDT

9:00am CDT

9:20am CDT

10:45am CDT

10:45am CDT

10:45am CDT

10:45am CDT

10:45am CDT

10:45am CDT

10:45am CDT

11:45am CDT

12:45pm CDT

12:45pm CDT

12:45pm CDT

12:45pm CDT

12:45pm CDT

12:45pm CDT

12:45pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

3:00pm CDT

Get help with the event