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Second Nature 2026
Venue: TBD - Indoor clear filter
Saturday, October 24
 

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
avatar for Martha Meyer

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 →
BB

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
KM

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
avatar for Emma Walter

Emma Walter

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

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 →
avatar for Hannah Grant

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
DD

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 →
HS

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 →
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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 →
CS

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

12:45pm CDT

Nature Play: From Toddlers To Teens
Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT
TBD - Indoor

Speakers
avatar for Brenda Rivera

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 →
BT

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
DB

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
DS

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 →
MP

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 →
GR

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 →
MA

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
IM

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.
VD

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

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
avatar for Suzette Salmon

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

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
MN

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 →
AM

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
DS

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 →
Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
TBD - Indoor
  Spaces & Experiences
 
Second Nature 2026
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Saturday, October 24
Bison Pavilion
Discovery Center
Discovery Center Front Patio
Savannah
TBD - Hybrid
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