Summer Educator Conference: Learning from the Land
Date
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 | 8 am–4:30 pm
Location
Tickets
$75 per Title 1 School Staff (teachers & administrators)
Join us for Learning from the Land, a professional development conference that invites educators to reconnect with the diverse natural and cultural landscapes of Southern California. Hosted by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, ASM Public Archaeology, and the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants, this unique gathering centers teachers as learners, exploring the interconnections between ecology, culture, and place. Through hands-on workshops, outdoor experiences, and interdisciplinary sessions, educators will engage with topics such as cultural connection to the land, native plant conservation, and place-based education. Participants will gain practical tools, build confidence in teaching environmental and cultural topics, and forge meaningful connections with peers across institutions and disciplines. Rooted in trust, community, and curiosity, Learning from the Land empowers educators to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and reimagine how we teach about the land we call home.
Schedule of Day
8–9 am Breakfast & Check-in
9–9:15 am Welcome & Opening Remarks
9:15–9:45 am Keynote Speaker
10–11:30 am Workshop Sessions: Morning
11:30 am–12:30 pm Lunch & Networking
12:30–2 pm Workshop Sessions: Afternoon
2:15–3 pm Closing & Raffle
3–4:30 pm Happy Hour & Plant Partners Fair
Wildlife Post-Fire: Applying Research Concepts into Classrooms
Learn about wildlife and wildfire research with Miroslava Munguia Ramos and Mary Logan! Miroslava Munguia Ramos is the wildlife and volunteer program technician for the Santa Monica Mountains Fund, the official non-profit for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (National Park Service). She received her Bachelor of Science from UC Davis with a major in Environmental Science and Management and a minor in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology. Prior to working in the Santa Monica Mountains, she led a citizen/community science project out of UCLA to help understand the Los Angeles River’s biodiversity using environmental DNA from sediment and water samples. As a park guide under the Interpretation, Education, and Volunteer division of the National Park Service, she provided public programing, school field trips, and engaging volunteer experiences with an emphasis on wildlife ecology and research to students and visitors. She now works with the Santa Monica Mountains Fund as the lead for the Woolsey Fire Recovery camera project where she trains volunteers to deploy and retrieve wildlife cameras, identify wildlife species, and monitor recovery rates of long-term study sites.
Pigments of the Past
Join Jen Aguilar, Educator Program Developer with ASM Affiliates! In this workshop, educators will explore how archaeology helps to uncover the stories and significance of rock art. We'll learn about natural pigments, explore examples of rock art in Southern California, get our hands dirty with a fun creative exercise, and gain a better understanding of how rock art can shape our understanding of the land, culture, and history.
Stories & Stewardship: Utilizing Archaeology to Understand the Past
Join Melissa Belk, Director of Public Archaeology at ASM Affiliates, Brian Williams and Michelle Hamilton for Stories and Stewardship. Many origin stories and legends have long held vital knowledge about the cultures of the past, sustainable living, and land stewardship. In this session, educators will become "archaeologists" as they learn to excavate and interpret cultural materials. Through historical documents, material culture, and the oral history of descendants, we can better understand how to honor the rich heritage of indigenous communities in California and beyond.
Stay tuned! 3 more sessions, Key Note and Closing Speakers all to be announced soon!
To ensure access and diversity of perspective, we are offering:
Scholarship Opportunity:
We are offering a limited number of scholarships to cover conference fees for educators who could not otherwise attend. To apply for a scholarship, submit this form by June 2, 2025. All scholarship recipients will be notified by email by Friday, June 6, 2025.
Early Bird Registration:
The first 50 registrants will receive FREE parking in our NHM carpark.
**All other participants must purchase parking for $20 in our Car Park or the Expo Park Blue Lot.
IMPORTANT EVENT INFORMATION
- We encourage you to carpool or use public transportation to and from the conference. The Natural History Museum is easily accessible by Metro! Hop off the Expo Line at the Expo/USC or Expo/Vermont stations and walk 5 minutes to the museum entrance.
- Parking will be available for $20 in the NHM Car Park . Overflow parking will be available for $20 in the Expo Park Blue Lot.
- Breakfast and lunch will be provided with registration. Help reduce waste at this event by bringing your own reusable water bottle and/or hot beverage cup!
- While we love welcoming your families to our museums, this specific program is intended for formal and informal educators who are adults (18+).
- In-person events are subject to cancellation due to low registration, inclement weather, or other changes in safety measures.
- This event will take place indoors and outdoors. Participants will be asked to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time. Please come prepared with appropriate walking shoes and sun protection.
- We aim to make NHM an exciting, educational, and enjoyable experience for everyone. If you have any questions about this event and the accommodation services we offer, contact our Call Center at 213.763.3466 or info@nhm.org. We ask that any requests for special accommodations be made at least 48 hours in advance.
This Educator Summer Conference is presented by ASM Public Archaeology, Theodore Payne Foundation and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
A big thanks to our sponsor
