Earlier this month, West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science had the incredible honor of hosting a segment of the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education’s (MAEOE) annual conference. The conference brought together educators dedicated to promoting outdoor learning and ecological stewardship. The event was a resounding success, featuring insightful sessions and workshops designed to empower participants to integrate environmental education into their curriculum.

WMAES hosted a field experience portion of the conference during which attendees explored our gardens and enjoyed salsa prepared by Environmental Specialist Shawn Wessell’s 5th grade class with vegetables grown on site. Visitors then traveled to the prairie, where the 3rd and 4th graders showed off some native prairie plants found in the area. Participants were given the opportunity to harvest seeds to plant at home.

The collaborative atmosphere fostered rich discussions on best practices and innovative teaching strategies, equipping attendees with practical tools to enhance their educational approaches. One of the most significant takeaways was the collective recognition of the need for environmental literacy in our schools, underscoring our shared responsibility to cultivate a sustainable future for our students and communities.

We extend our gratitude to the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education for choosing our school as a host venue for this year’s conference. MAEOE’s dedication to environmental education is continually inspiring, and we look forward to continued collaboration in fostering a love for the outdoors and a commitment to sustainability.