Dream Big: The Future of Place-based Learning in Minnesota - April 12-14, 2024

Dream Big: The Future of Place-based Learning in Minnesota
April 12-14, 2024

Now is a critical time to connect our students to the Earth.

For the past 18 months we, Erika Bailey Johnson, Sustainability Director at Bemidji State University and Ana Munro, Faculty at North Hennepin Community College, have been exploring ways to better Connect Students to Place: Gidibendaagozim in akiing/Gidinawedaamin aki we are part of the land/the land is a part of us.  We know there are lots of people doing good work in different parts of our state to bring more access and opportunities to outdoor learning for our young people. We invite you to a weekend of community building and knowledge sharing at Osprey Wilds April 12-14, 2024.

The cost is $225 per person, which includes food and lodging. Accommodation is in shared rooms. Attendees will be responsible for their own transportation. We encourage ride-sharing.
Students are very welcome and there will be no cost to attend. Tribal members are able to attend free of charge, limited spot available.

The goals of this weekend are:

• To bring community together from Education, Legislators, State Agencies, Tribal Nations, Outdoor Learning Centers, Non-Profits, and Community Members. All interested people are welcome
• Acknowledge and address the current equity gap in outdoor learning and the lack of representation among staff
• Discuss the results of our state-wide survey for Minnesota State students to identify their current relationship with nature and what some of the gaps might be in accessing the outdoors
• Share the projects we are working on and find opportunities for collaboration
• Discuss and uncover funding sources to support this work
• Dream about the future and find a good path for the next ten years
   

We invite you to attend and contribute your dreams, vision, knowledge and expertise to one of various round table discussions we will be hosting over the weekend. We invite and openly welcome all suggestions on how to make this weekend fun, safe, meaningful and collaborative for all participants. Feel free to send your ideas to ana.munro@nhcc.edu and we hope to see you there in April. Please share this invitation with others in your community who might be interested.