Conference FAQ
See below for frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions or concerns, contact us at [email protected].
Who is this conference for?
The Nature-Based Early Learning Conference brings professionals together to explore and promote nature-based learning for young children. Attendees include teachers, program administrators, higher education faculty, researchers, education consultants, landscape designers, and others who are committed to or interested in bringing nature, outdoor learning, and environmental education to young children’s education.
The program focuses on nature-based education for preschoolers (ages 3-5), early elementary students (ages 5-8), and infants and toddlers (ages 0-3).
Professionals, parents, and caregivers who are just learning about a nature-based approach to education, or who may be interested in starting a nature-based early education program, are welcome.
Where do I register?
Registration for the 2026 Conference, taking place in San Antonio and online, will open soon!
What does my registration include?
For those joining us in San Antonio, registration is $435 (early bird, through June 1) or $475 (after June 1) and includes:
- Welcome Reception – Wednesday evening, June 24
- Concurrent sessions – Thursday & Friday, June 25–26
- Lunch on Thursday and Friday
- Transportation between the conference hotel and the San Antonio Zoo
- Access to all online sessions until June 2027
We are also hosting a few specialized meetings, with no additional cost to participate.
Online registration ($175) includes:
- Year-long access to 50+ on-demand conference sessions
- 2-Hour Workshop
- Live sessions, taking place June 23-26
- Professional development certificates for every session you attend
Are group discounts available?
Yes! Programs registering 4 or more participants receive a 20% discount on registration. If you would like to register multiple attendees from the same program, institution, or business for the online event, email [email protected] for assistance.
Are scholarships available?
We are thrilled to offer scholarships to Texas educators to attend the conference in San Antonio with support from H-E-B. We will share more details about this opportunity soon.
To make the conference more accessible, we’re also offering a reduced online rate of $99, which is available to anyone whose circumstances make the standard fee a challenge. (If this reduced rate is still not accessible for you, you may reach out to us directly.) Please pay what you can.
Do you offer discounted pricing for students?
Beyond the scholarships listed above, we do not have financial aid or discounted prices for students, as the conference registration fee is already subsidized through grants, sponsorships, and lots of volunteer time. We do our best every year to make the experience as affordable as possible.
Where can I see the list of sessions?
View a list of San Antonio Sessions here.
View a list of Online Sessions here.
Information about Featured Sessions is forthcoming.
Can I share my registration with my colleagues?
Each attendee must register separately, and registrations cannot be shared. In addition, professional development certificates can only be generated associated with the name on your account. All participants should register, log in to the conference website, and view sessions exclusively on session pages.
Can I use on-demand sessions for training purposes?
You are welcome to use on-demand content for training your own staff or program. Any other use of sessions requires permission from Natural Start/NAAEE. Sessions can not be downloaded, shared, sold, or used in any other way without permission from Natural Start/NAAEE and the presenter.
Can I get a professional development certificate for the sessions that I participate in?
Yes, online attendees can download certificates that include their name, the session title, and clock hours for the session.
In-person attendees will be emailed a certificate of completion reflecting the total number of conference hours, following the event in San Antonio.
Are accessibility accommodations available?
In Person: If you require accommodations, please note your needs in the registration form and follow up with us via email.
Online: On-demand sessions can be viewed with auto-generated captions through YouTube. Live sessions will take place on Zoom, where there is a settings option to turn on closed captions.
Contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility.
Can I still access 2025 sessions?
Yes! If you are registered for the 2025 conference, you can access sessions here until July 2026.
You can still register for access to 2025 on-demand sessions here.
How can I stay up-to-date about the conference and other Natural Start activities?
If you'd like to stay informed of Natural Start Alliance news, including the conference, we encourage you to become a member, which is free and easy to do! Read about the benefits of membership and join at the link below.