Michigan's Furniture City
Grand Rapids
From the shipwreck shores of Alpena and its rural natural beauty, MAEOE is headed to Grand Rapids, a city alive with urban nature, for our 2024 conference. We are excited to explore downtown Grand Rapids, and all it has to offer from walking tours along the Grand River, to explorations of sustainability and urban infrastructure, all just a stone's throw from Lake Michigan shoreline.
Join us October 4 - 6, 2024, as MAEOE returns to the west side of the state for our annual conference.
October 4 - 6, 2024
Grand Valley State University
Richard DeVos Center
401 Fulton St W
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
All participants in conference sessions, field trips, and the MAEOE Mash must be registered conference attendees.
Guests may attend the Awards Banquet but must have a ticket.
If your family is accompanying you to Grand Rapids, check out GRkids.com or ExperienceGR.com for activities they can enjoy while you attend the conference.
Have questions about our Grand Rapids conference?
Reach out to the core conference team at conference@maeoe.com for the answer.
Grand Rapids Conference points of interest
Grand Rapids is a city filled with hidden oases, plenty of urban nature, and not far from the shores of Lake Michigan. Dive into this interactive map to explore the places our MAEOE conference and field trips have to offer. As we learn together and immerse ourselves in western Michigan, your Board of Directors encourages you to explore the Grand Rapids area and all it has to offer.
Thank you to our 2024 Conference Sponsors
Acorn Naturalist
What's happening?
Conference Overview
Curious about what is happening at the Grand Rapids conference? Check out the Conference Program for a complete schedule of events.
MAEOE MASH
Awards Information
Keynote Speaker - Jane Elder
Knowledge, experience, caring and efficacy: advancing environmental citizenship
Jane Elder has played a leading role in advancing policy to protect wilderness, national lakeshores, and the waters of the Great Lakes region over many decades. She founded the Sierra Club’s Great Lakes program, headed the national Biodiversity Project, and served as executive director for the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters. Her book provides an insider’s perspective into the quest to protect the Great Lakes and the region’s ecological health and resilience.
We will have a limited number of Jane's books available for purchase. Jane will also be available for book signings.
Welcome address - Dr. Stephanie Ogren
Ecological History of Grand Rapids & the Grand River
Dr. Stephanie Ogren is the Vice President of Science and Education at the Grand Rapids Museum. She holds a BS in Biology and MS in Aquatic Sciences from Central Michigan University and a PhD in Restoration Ecology from Michigan Technological University. Dr. Ogren worked as a Senior Aquatic Biologist for a Native American tribe for 15 years developing water quality programs and working with threatened species before coming to the GRPM in 2016. She is an expert in sharing complex scientific information and experiences with the public and will welcome MAEOE to Grand Rapids with a short presentation on the ecological history of Grand Rapids and the Grand River.
Conference Workshops
Friday, October 4th
Workshops start at 8:30 am
Rivers, Flood Risk, and the Watershed Connections
Cost: $10
GVSU Grand Rapids Campus
Rivers are dynamic: important to every community and ecosystem they pass through. Destructive floods and erosion are natural phenomena but also aggravated by human action. This session will include teaching activities about river dynamics, flood risk, changes being made along the Grand River, and a walk to view river gauging stations. Presenters include National Weather Service hydrologist and Grand Rapids city project manager. Utilizing an interactive floodplain model we will explore environmental implications of river changes and what can be done to reduce destructive flooding (e.g., land use choices, green roofs, rain gardens). All of this will be put in the larger context of Great Lakes watersheds and climate
change impacts on future river conditions. Michigan watershed maps included.
Environmental Educator Certification: Strand One Workshop
Cost: $75
GVSU Grand Rapids Campus
The interest in the EEC continues to increase. This offering by MAEOE will benefit all types of educators – formal, non-formal, experienced, and the novice. Having the EEC ensures the participant attained a set standard of environmental education (EE) knowledge and skills identified by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). The professional expertise gained with the EEC could help you advance in your career and gain the respect you deserve. This in- person workshop provides the first component in the EEC program and your $75 begins the certification journey. More information is available about the EEC at MAEOE.com.
Conference Field Trips
In Grand Rapids we are offering field trips to local attractions, kayaking the Grand River, visiting nearby state parks, and touring the local waste management facilities. Take a look at the full list of field trip opportunities at the link below and make your Grand Rapids conference a one of a kind adventure.
Register now
Make sure to preview the 2024 Field Trip page and Conference Workshop descriptions prior to registering.
Cost to attend 2024 full conference will be:
Member: $150 *
(Note: you must log into your Neon account to qualify for Member Pricing)
Non-Member: $200 *
*does not include any additional events or field trips.
* Early bird pricing no longer valid.
MAEOE strives to meet the needs of all participants - if anyone has a special need, please contact us at conference@maeoe.com.
Holiday Inn
Downtown Grand Rapids*
* This link will take you directly to MAEOE's discounted rates for the conference weekend.
Hotel Details
The hotel is walking distance from the conference venue and we have a limited block of rooms available for the discounted rate for Oct 3-5.
