Start your Outdoor Learning Conference on ‘foot’ and enjoy a beautiful hike at Iya Mnathka (Mt.Yamnuska), which is considered the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. Alberta Parks Environmental Education Specialists will lead you through experiences to deepen your personal connection to this protected land and provide learning activities you could share with students. Be prepared to be outside for the entire morning as we acknowledge and connect with the land we’re learning on together.
Please note there is a $20 cost associated with this field trip. You can pay this fee through the following link: https://takemeoutside.ca/ol-conf-fieldtrip-payment/
Join in conversation with fellow educators and colleagues around the intersections of land-based learning, art and community, while you work with your hands to learn the basics of beading.
This 2.5-hour introductory workshop will be led by Indigenous artist, outdoor/environmental educator and founding member and national manager of a land-based learning charitable organization, Theresa Westhaver.
All levels of beading experience welcome! Please note that there is a $15 supply fee that can be sent to mountain.steklep@gmail.com.
Join Water Rangers for an inspiring outdoor field trip along the Bow River in Banff, designed for educators to experience hands-on water quality testing and community science! This session will engage participants in water quality testing methods using our accessible kits, sparking discussion on how environmental monitoring can empower students to address real-world environmental issues. Through this immersive experience, educators will explore water parameters like pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen, and learn how to integrate water testing and climate literacy into their own classrooms. Participants will leave equipped to engage students in environmental action that connects local ecosystems with global climate resilience.
Get to know your local birds using the magic of Merlin! Prior to the workshop, please download the Merlin app and then install the Canada West and your local bird packs so you’re ready to explore your local birds and the birds of Banff. Bring your binoculars too, if you have them.
The Merlin Bird ID app lets you discover which birds are sharing the land with you from season to season, by sight or sound. This app uses billions of eBird observations shared by participatory scientists from around the world to generate a list of potential birds based on your location and date. Its technology allows users to identify birds by sight, sound, or using a photo. We will explore the four clues to bird ID, research your local birds using the app, draw a focus bird, and then take a bird walk to gain real-life practice using these tools.
K-12 Education Learning Coordinator, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University
Susan Licher is the K-12 Learning Coordinator at Cornell Lab of Ornithology where she develops and delivers transformational training for educators that supports them in connecting students to nature, strengthens their skills in using participatory (citizen) science, and increases... Read More →
"Rediscover your child-like passion for the world and join us for a fun morning of exploring nature and building connections. In this experiential session, Dave will share some of the core elements of Forest Play – a popular program that has been running in Canmore since 2011. You’ll have the opportunity to:
Fuel your enthusiasm for nature connection programs Play, laugh, share stories, activities and songs you can use with your groups experience what it is like to participate in a program based on the Coyote mentoring model be introduced to the natural learning cycle and essential routines that ground and reconnect us with the natural world
Come prepared for playing outdoors (dress in layers and for the weather - there will be periods of physical activity and moments of less activity) and having some fun adventures in the forest near the Banff Centre!"
Dave believes the natural world is one of our most powerful teachers and mentors. Dave co-founded Nature's Tracks Forest Play in 2011 with the goal of facilitating programs that connect people to nature, others and themselves. Forest Play is grounded in the learning philosophies of... Read More →
Step into an interactive session designed to help educators strengthen connections with others—while learning to juggle! This hands-on workshop is for teachers seeking practical ways to foster meaningful interactions, whether with students, colleagues, or new acquaintances. Through a mix of music, laughter, and play, you’ll develop a unique skill and fresh perspectives on building connections. In this session, participants will:
- Practice strategies to focus on key priorities and connect more deeply - Reframe common challenges in meeting new people, finding ways to overcome hesitations - Embrace mistakes as part of growth, helping build resilience and adaptability - Discover how to foster an inclusive classroom that encourages participation and mutual respect
You’ll leave with the fundamentals of juggling, techniques for supporting a connected learning environment, and a renewed sense of confidence in engaging others. This is a unique opportunity to discover new methods of connecting through teamwork and fun, all while gaining a skill that exemplifies patience and focus. Spaces are limited to 30 participants for a personalized experience. All equipment is provided—just bring your curiosity!
"This was the most meaningful session of the conference for me. It is so important for us to learn to accept our mistakes." —Healthcare Service Excellence Conference Attendee
Soapstone carving is an incredibly fun and rewarding nature craft! In this workshop, your instructor will walk you through the steps of choosing a stone, figuring out what it “wants” to become, filing it into form, sanding it smooth, polishing it to bring out the colours and empowering your stone with an intention or affirmation. You will create a meaningful souvenir that will remind you of your time in beautiful Banff National Park.
"Start your learning journey in Banff with an interactive hike beginning from the Banff Centre. This awe inspiring location is nestled on the slopes of Eyarhey Tatanga Woweyahgey Wakân in the Nakoda language or Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain.
Your guides — Îyârhe Nakoda Knowledge Holder Travis Rider and ACMG hiking guide Adam Mertens — will share stories and perspectives on the complex cultural and natural history of the Bow Valley, using a two-eyed seeing lens. They will invite you to reflect on your own teaching practice and the ways educators can approach the land as a teacher to explore complex topics including Truth and Reconciliation, Climate Action, Community Building and Personal Resilience.
This intentional approach to land acknowledgement, in which participants are invited to reflect on their personal relationship to this place, closely mirrors the type of land-based learning experiences that Howl has offered young people over the past three years.
Depending on weather conditions, we will either hike up Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain or down to the Bow River. Both options are beginner friendly and will start and end at the Kinnear Centre.
Please note there will a $10 participant fee, payment can be made to field trip leaders.
Join Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and Parcs Canada for a guided wetland field trip at the beautiful Cascade Ponds. Get ready to catch and identify invertebrates from the wetland, use binoculars to observe birds and other wildlife, contribute to citizen science and play a wetland biodiversity game. These activities can be adapted for elementary and high school students. Educators will gain skills and confidence to conduct engaging and educational experiences that promote well-being and mindfulness, connection to the natural world, ecological awareness and climate change solutions. Participants will also better understand wetland ecosystems and their pivotal role in mitigating climate change. By the end of this field trip, participants will leave with practical skills, resources, and insights to create memorable outdoor learning experiences at wetlands and in nature to enrich the education of their students.
Please note, that attendees are responsible for transportation to the starting point.
This field trip will highlight one of the River Institute’s most sought-after education programs, aquatic invertebrate ecology. This program has grown increasingly relevant in the context of engaging learners with climate change and ecosystem health.
A modified version of this program will be delivered to demonstrate to educators that engaging learners of all ages with aquatic macroinvertebrates and water can be done almost anywhere, anytime of the year, and with limited equipment.
This field trip will entail a demonstration on how to sample for aquatic macroinvertebrates from a small creek, followed by having educators try it out for themselves. After collecting specimens, we will demonstrate how to identify them with a magnifying glass and easy-to-use dichotomous keys, and throughout this process, we would tally the number of aquatic organisms that we collect and discuss how changes in species abundance and diversity can signify shifts in water quality due to climate-driven stressors and more.
To extend learning, a demonstration on how to do a basic biodiversity index to determine the health of an ecosystem will also be provided. Each participant will leave with free resources, such as laminated dichotomous key.
Sharing the Excitement of Scientific Discovery - the River Institute.The River Institute is a leader in environmental research and provides new knowledge, education, technical services, and community outreach to improve the health of the St. Lawrence River and other freshwater ecosystems.We... Read More →
Meet at the lower parking trailhead (easy walk or drive from the Banff centre) for 6am departure. The hike is quite steep but is a smooth and well maintained trail with great views. This is an unguided hike where you accept all responsibility for your own safety. There will be at least one person on the hike who know the area however. You may be comfortable in sneakers with good tread but hiking boots are recommended for ankle support. More information on the trail can be found here.
Last year this was a conference favourite connection and community building space.
Join Water Rangers for an inspiring outdoor field trip along the Bow River in Banff, designed for educators to experience hands-on water quality testing and community science! This session will engage participants in water quality testing methods using our accessible kits, sparking discussion on how environmental monitoring can empower students to address real-world environmental issues. Through this immersive experience, educators will explore water parameters like pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen, and learn how to integrate water testing and climate literacy into their own classrooms. Participants will leave equipped to engage students in environmental action that connects local ecosystems with global climate resilience.
Get to know your local birds using the magic of Merlin! Prior to the workshop, please download the Merlin app and then install the Canada West and your local bird packs so you’re ready to explore your local birds and the birds of Banff. Bring your binoculars too, if you have them.
The Merlin Bird ID app lets you discover which birds are sharing the land with you from season to season, by sight or sound. This app uses billions of eBird observations shared by participatory scientists from around the world to generate a list of potential birds based on your location and date. Its technology allows users to identify birds by sight, sound, or using a photo. We will explore the four clues to bird ID, research your local birds using the app, draw a focus bird, and then take a bird walk to gain real-life practice using these tools.
K-12 Education Learning Coordinator, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University
Susan Licher is the K-12 Learning Coordinator at Cornell Lab of Ornithology where she develops and delivers transformational training for educators that supports them in connecting students to nature, strengthens their skills in using participatory (citizen) science, and increases... Read More →
"Rediscover your child-like passion for the world and join us for a fun morning of exploring nature and building connections. In this experiential session, Dave will share some of the core elements of Forest Play – a popular program that has been running in Canmore since 2011. You’ll have the opportunity to:
Fuel your enthusiasm for nature connection programs Play, laugh, share stories, activities and songs you can use with your groups experience what it is like to participate in a program based on the Coyote mentoring model be introduced to the natural learning cycle and essential routines that ground and reconnect us with the natural world
Come prepared for playing outdoors (dress in layers and for the weather - there will be periods of physical activity and moments of less activity) and having some fun adventures in the forest near the Banff Centre!"
Dave believes the natural world is one of our most powerful teachers and mentors. Dave co-founded Nature's Tracks Forest Play in 2011 with the goal of facilitating programs that connect people to nature, others and themselves. Forest Play is grounded in the learning philosophies of... Read More →
Let’s take some time to reflect on our weekend experiences, as we ground ourselves in the landscape of this remarkable place through a mindful nature journal practice. Participants will be gently guided through a writing exercise and a short journaling exercise. The majority of our time together will be self-guided and you can expect to have over an hour of time to yourself with watercolour paints and journal materials. If you are looking to set aside some intentional time to reflect and process some of the learnings from the conference, this field trip is for you! No previous art experience is needed, all supplies will be provided, and you are welcome to bring your own personal journals during this time. (We will be walking about 15-20 minutes on an uneven path to our main journaling space)
Environmental Educator & Teacher, School District 73 (Kamloops-Thompson), British Columbia Conservation Foundation (BCCF)
Sonya Rokosh splits her time working at a local horticultural therapy farm in Kamloops, substitute teaching, and engaging with both youth and educators in the grasslands. She has over 19 years of experience in the world of outdoor education & leadership. She sits on the board of directors... Read More →
