The Environmental Education Council of Ohio has partnered with the Ohio Nature Based Early Childhood Education Collaboration.  We would like to increase the use and creation of Nature Based Education for Early Childhood Practitioners.  During the EECO Annual Conference, that will be virtual in 2021, we have set an entire day for this endeavor. The Early Childhood Nature Based Education Day will be April 15th.  A schedule and registration will be up soon. 

Ohio Nature-Based Early Childhood Education is a group of like-minded educators who have either founded, are working at, or aspire to begin or work in a nature-based setting with children ages birth-8.  This collaboration came together in 2018-2019 to enjoy collegial friendships as well as learning and growing as professionals.  These professionals also gather to share and gain resources.  Ultimately this group sees its role as one of advocacy as we reach out to our local and state agencies to allow nature-based education to flourish in Ohio.

The vision of ONBECE is to create change in the early childhood education field through a more balanced pedagogical approach rooted in nature and a sense of place for the children of Ohio.

This grassroots group of educators meets annually around Ohio.  Regional meetings are also hosted throughout the year at various participants' centers.  They also communicate about attendance at local, state, and national conferences and plan meetups there.

They will create a community of early childhood practitioners in the field of early childhood education in Ohio through communication, professional development, resources, and advocacy.