On January 16, 2025, the Upper Valley Teaching Place Collaborative (UVTPC) hosted its second Community of Practice gathering, bringing together educators, community leaders, and environmental organizations to strengthen place-based and environmental education in the Upper Valley.
Held at the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, Vermont, and graciously hosted by Adam Blankenbicker, Director of Education, and Dante Frontani, Climate & Environmental Education Program Manager, this event was an opportunity to share insights, foster new connections, and learn about the incredible work happening across our region.

A Day of Learning, Connection, and Collaboration
The day began in the Montshire’s Community Room, a warm and welcoming space that set the tone for open conversations. After introductions, we launched into a discussion about the values of our community and the challenges we face in environmental education.
In the next session, we took a big-picture look at environmental education offerings in the Upper Valley, mapping out programs by audience and season. A few trends emerged—some expected, others surprising. This information will help guide future conversations about how we can better align efforts to meet the needs of our communities.

One of the day’s highlights was stepping outside into the crisp winter air for an engaging, hands-on activity connecting citizen science, climate education, and community action. Together, we collected tree data, contributing to real-time climate research while experiencing how immersive, outdoor learning fosters curiosity and connection.
Key Takeaways & Insights
Our discussions and activities revealed valuable insights about who we’re reaching and where the gaps are in environmental education:
Expanding Senior Engagement: Older adults are underrepresented in environmental education—there’s a need for more targeted programming for seniors.
High School & College Engagement Challenges: Winter programming is well-covered overall, but engaging high school and college students remains difficult due to competing priorities.
Collaboration Over Competition: Summer camps are in high demand and often fill up quickly. Instead of competing for campers, we can work together to complement each other’s programs, ensuring more kids have access to meaningful outdoor experiences.
Expanding Pre-K Opportunities: Interest in early childhood environmental education is growing, with many organizations eager to engage younger learners in place-based experiences.
Supporting Classroom Teachers: Educators are expressing interest in integrating environmental education into core subjects like literacy and math.
A “Learning Passport” Idea: One exciting idea discussed was creating a passport system where students could visit different educational sites and build their own learning journeys—turning the Upper Valley into a regional learning ecosystem.
Looking Ahead: Next Steps for Collaboration
As the day wrapped up, the conversation turned toward how we can take action on these insights. Ideas included:
Using GenThrive data to better understand and track youth engagement in environmental education.
Strengthening connections with the homeschooling community to broaden access to programs outside of traditional classrooms.
Continuing these conversations to ensure collaboration remains strong and intentional.
The room buzzed with energy and inspiration as we closed the session. It’s clear that when we work together, we can amplify our impact, support one another, and create richer learning experiences for the next generation.
A Special Thank You
A huge thank you to the Montshire Museum of Science for not only hosting this event but also providing a delicious lunch that fueled our conversations! Your generosity helped create an atmosphere of community and collaboration. And, as always, thanks to the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation’s continued support of place-based and environmental education across the Upper Valley through the Wellborn Ecology Fund.
As we continue into 2025, the connections and momentum built at this gathering will lead to new partnerships, expanded programs, and more opportunities for young people to connect with the natural world.
If you'd like to learn more about UVTPC or join a future Community of Practice gathering, stay updated through our newsletter and online platforms, or reach out to us at info@uvtpc.com.
Together, we are building a stronger, more connected, and environmentally literate Upper Valley—one relationship at a time.
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