Rick Zenn
The Forest Education Foundation (FEF) has announced its 2019 conference – The Stories Behind Our Trees with keynote speakers from the US, workshops, networking and an industry forest field day. The event will run from 31 October to 1 November in Launceston, Tasmania. Source: Timberbiz
The conference aims to connect industry professionals with educators to facilitate dialogue around communicating about forest systems, the importance of forests and the ways that people interact with forest landscapes.
With collaboration from educators and industry the conference theme – The Stories Behind Our Trees will focus on our personal connection to forests and how these stories can lead to education for sustainability and active participation in the future of forests and forest industries.
Keynote speakers are Rick Zenn an internationally respected environmental educator with more than 30 years professional experience in the field as a naturalist, teacher, program manager, non-profit executive, trainer, and consultant.
He is the first Senior Fellow at the World Forestry Center appointed in 2009 after serving as the center’s popular education director for nearly 20 years. Mr Zenn received the prestigious Rudolf Schafer Award from the American Forest Foundation, the Master Front Line Interpreter National Award from NAI, and the Gold Leaf Award from the International Society of Arboriculture.
Norie Dimeo-Ediger is the director of K-12 education for Oregon Forest Resources Institute and responsible for the development and implementation of programs for students and professional development for teachers.
She has a master’s degrees from Portland State University in science education and adult education. In 2011, she was recognized nationally for her work with Project Learning Tree, a program of the American Forest Foundation and in 2011, she received the Oregon State Forester’s award for excellence in forestry education. Her favorite outdoor activity is walking in the woods and avoiding poison oak.
Presented by teachers, researchers and industry professionals – keynote sessions and workshops will feature local, interstate and international representatives and will cover a broad range of topics including:
- Examine ways to use forests as a context for teaching and learning
- Conceptual frameworks for teaching about forests
- Curriculum implementation and connections
- Teaching resources and innovations
- Future projects for student action
The FEF hopes to attract a wide range of industry participants, as well as local teachers to develop and build shared goals for forest education in Tasmania.
