There’s still time to sign up for the first-ever Iowa Outdoor Learning Environments Conference which will be held in Ames later this month. One of the organizers, Carly Sabus, explains the focus of outdoor learning environments, or OLEs (pronounced OH-lees).

Sabus says, “We define an outdoor learning environment as a deliberately-designed outdoor space for intentional learning and an intentional setting for exploration, inquiry, and learning to empower environmental literacy and education and STEM learning.”

An OLE can be located at a school or other community location like a library, park, protected natural area, or other places where the outdoor setting can enhance educational opportunities for youth and community members. The two-day conference will zero in on helping Iowans create more OLEs. “We will be having a whole line-up of workshops and speakers from all over the region who are local experts on these outdoor learning environments,” Sabus says. “We’ll be tackling subjects like gaining community support for your outdoor learning environment, helping get funds, how you get volunteers.”

Workshops will also teach participants how to create educational programs, design, implement and maintain OLEs. The event will be held June 18th and 19th at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. The event is sponsored by Prairie Rivers of Iowa.

(Radio Iowa) –  more at www.prrcd.org