Environmental Education Association of South Carolina upcoming events

Fraylick Farm Tour (April 20, 2026)

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:00:00 GMT

April showers bring April flowers! Who needs to wait for May? Come join your western section friends for a tour of Fraylick Farm's flowers-we'd be dahlia-ghted to see you! We'll learn how owners Mellisa and Josh utilize regenerative farming practices with forest-raised pigs working hand-in-hand with the flower operation. Curious, no?

What: Faylick Farm Tour

Where: 115 Henderson Drive Travelers Rest, SC 29690 (we'll be carpooling to the nearby farm from Gateway Park)

When: Monday, April 20th from 4:00 pm-5:30 pm

After: 5:45 pm, dinner at Sidewall Pizza, 35 S Main St Travelers Rest, SC 29690

*Dinner is pay your own way. If you plan to attend, please email samanthakhart10@gmail.com to help us get a headcount.

Pre-Conference Event: SC Adopt-a-Stream Freshwater Stream Workshop (June 16, 2026)

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:30:00 GMT

SC Adopt-a-Stream Freshwater Stream Workshop

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

9:30am - 4:00pm

**BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH**

USC Watershed Ecology Center

8000 Valley Falls Road

Spartanburg, SC

Select Macroinvertebrate: [In-Person] Spartanburg

Tuesday, June 16, 9:30 AM - 4:00PM

Registration is free!

Max: 16 participants

You do not need to be a scientist, engineer, or water professional to become a water quality monitor! All are welcome to learn how to collect data that can help protect and restore freshwater streams.

This training will provide classroom and hands-on instruction for volunteer monitors on how to select a monitoring site, use equipment properly, collect and identify aquatic macroinvertebrates, analyze water quality, enter data, determine stream conditions and practice safety in the field.

This workshop focuses on macroinvertebrate monitoring. You will learn about stream habitat, indicator species, pollution sources, how to collect and identify 20 different groups of macroinvertebrates, and using that data to determine a stream health index. Once certified as a volunteer water quality monitor, you can adopt a stream to monitor on a biannual basis.

Get ready to get your hands and feet wet in a shallow stream! You must attend the full workshop to become a certified water quality monitor. Questions? Visit www.scadoptastream.org.

Pre-Conference Event: Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas (June 16, 2026)

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Pre-conference workshops beginning on June 16th

Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

2 PM - 4 PM

USC Upstate

995 University Way

Spartanburg, SC 29303

The Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas is a community science project focused on tracking the bumble bees of Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The Southeast is home to a wide range of bumble bee species, making it a great place to learn about and study them. Sadly, about a quarter of bumble bee species in North America have seen their numbers drop in recent decades. That’s why we’re working to better understand where these bees are living, what habitats they prefer, and what kinds of flowers they use for food. The information we collect will help support future conservation efforts.

By attending our training workshop you can participate as community scientist with the Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas. You’ll learn how to catch, photograph, and release bumble bees safely, record habitat information, and submit your findings through our online platform, Bumble Bee Watch. All of this contributes to a clearer picture of where bees are doing well—and where conservation efforts are most needed!

Questions? Contact Keith Willoughby at director@eeasc.org.

Pre-Conference Event: Green Step Schools - Innovation and Creativity in Environmental Education (June 17, 2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Green Step Schools Gathering at the George Center!

Wednesday, June 17, 2026
The George Center USC Upstate 160 East St. John Street, Spartanburg, SC
9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Join us for a Green Step Schools (GSS) pre-conference gathering as we celebrate accomplishments and highlight innovative sustainability projects. This is a valuable opportunity for educators and mentors to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen their work in environmental stewardship and sustainability education.

Participants will also have the opportunity to meet our new GSS Program Coordinator, E.V. Bell. Lunch will be provided.

Green Step Schools empowers students to engage in sustainability projects that make a lasting impact on their schools and communities. Learn more at eeasc.org/Green-Step-Schools.

Questions? Contact Jane Hiller at gss@eeasc.org.

Pre-Conference Event: Nature Journaling Workshop (June 17, 2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Nature Journaling Workshop

Wednesday, June 17, 2026
The George Center USC Upstate 160 East St. John Street, Spartanburg, SC
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

"Sketch" your imagination and creative muscles and join Beth Burkett for a nature journaling pre-conference workshop. During this session, participants learn how nature journaling can be used in a variety of outdoor spaces, ranging from backyards to public parks, to school grounds, to connect with the environment and serve as a cross-curricular approach to teaching a variety of subjects. Using the natural world for inspiration, participants learn sketching, drawing, writing, and observation skills to enrich a journaling practice.

This workshop welcomes all skill levels, from beginners to experienced. Please bring a journal or something to draw and write on and your favorite pen or pencil. Additional art supplies will be provided for practice during the session.

Our Wednesday pre-conference sessions will wrap up at or before 12:00 PM, giving you time to take a break and enjoy lunch on your own before the full conference begins at 1:00 PM. We’ll share a list of nearby dining options during the session to make it easy for you to explore local spots and connect with fellow attendees over lunch.

Pre-Conference Event: Orienteering with the Palmetto Trail (June 17, 2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Orienteering with the Palmetto Trail

Wednesday, June 17, 2026
The George Center USC Upstate 160 East St. John Street, Spartanburg, SC
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Join EEASC in partnership with the Palmetto Trail for a dynamic, hands-on orienteering workshop at the 2026 Annual Conference. Led by Midlands Trail Coordinator Furman Miller and Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator Chris Barry, this session will introduce participants to foundational navigation skills, including map reading, compass use, and strategies for incorporating orienteering into environmental education settings.

Designed for a small, interactive group (15–25 participants), this workshop offers a supportive space to build confidence, share ideas, and explore how place-based learning can deepen student engagement. Participants will also learn about opportunities to connect their students with the Palmetto Trail through meaningful outdoor and community-based experiences across South Carolina.

2026 Conference: Camp Compass-Navigating Environmental Education (June 17, 2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Pre-conference workshops beginning on June 16th

Conference June 17-19, 2026

The George Center

USC Upstate

160 East St. John Street

Spartanburg, SC

Conference Agenda

(coming soon)

Featuring Glenis Redmond (Keynote Speaker), hands-on professional development and networking opportunities for teachers and informal educators. Don't miss this event!

Lodging: Four Points by Sheraton, 9027 Fairforest Road, Spartanburg, SC 29301 - rooms $109/night; breakfast NOT included. Book by May 17, 2026. Click here to book your room at the group rate.

Lodging: Magnolia House Residence Hall at USC Upstate.
June 16-19, USC Upstate has offered suite-style accommodations at $35 per night per person. The suites have individual sleeping rooms with a shared common area and bathroom. Please complete this Google Form to reserve room.

Meals: Conference registration includes lunch and dinner on Thursday, June 18. Other meals will be on your own.

Pre-Conference Events - REGISTER SEPARATELY:

Tuesday, June 16

SC Adopt-a-Stream Freshwater Stream Workshop (9:30am-3:30pm)
Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas (1:00pm-5:00pm)

Wednesday, June 17

Green Step Schools - Innovation and Creativity in Environmental Education (9:00 AM-12:00 PM).
Nature Journaling (9:00 AM-12:00 PM).
Orienteering with the Palmetto Trail (9:00 AM-12:00 PM).

Don't miss out! Register by June 6 to secure your spot.

Many thanks to our 2026 Conference Sponsors!