Registration will launch on April 15!

This fall, October 7-9, we invite you to join us in Maine for our 2026 gathering, where we’ll explore how strong, connected networks help catalyze the benefits of nature.

Our theme is Nurturing Networks – exploring how to weave, sustain, and grow mycelial networks to amplify the social impact nature has on communities in need. Through site visits, roundtables, facilitated connections, and storytelling, funders will learn how to nurture distributed, interconnected efforts across organizations and communities that multiply outcomes for nature access, health, and resilience.

With Maine’s majestic coastline, rivers, and forests as a backdrop, attendees will explore new ideas for collective action in policy and advocacy, data tracking and analysis, and community-led governance. 

Attendees will leave inspired and resourced to identify and nurture networks to strengthen their impact.  

Register

Register by June 30 to receive $50 off your ticket price! This applies to both members and non-members.

To ensure we have an accurate headcount, registration will close on October 2. Register today to save your spot!

Questions

• Contact Onika Abraham Lee for any questions related to the programming 
• Contact Berkeley Bryant for questions related to logistics and registration

Design Team

Our design team members are local to Maine and working closely with Blue Sky staff to shape the convening, bringing deep knowledge of the region and its outdoor access community.

• Amie Hutchison, Sewall Foundation
• Lynne Seeley, Ferguson Family Foundation
• Rosalind Erwin, Onion Foundation
• Tyler Kidder, Maine Philanthropy Center
• Hannah Quimby, Quimby Family Foundation
• Olivia Griset, Maine Environmental Education Association
• Moon Machar, Maine Association for New Americans
• Pame Chevez, Palmar Collective
• Cameron Brewer
• Kaya Lolar, Maine Environmental Education Association

Venue

We’re excited to partner with the Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment to host most of our Convening events! Wolfe’s Neck is a farm-based education, research, and visitor center set amidst more than 600 acres of conserved open space along Casco Bay in Freeport, Maine. We look forward to utilizing their beautiful outdoor gathering spaces, trails, and experiential learning opportunities.

While Wolfe’s Neck has operated an organic coastal farm for more than sixty years, this land has been stewarded since time immemorial, and continues to be cared for, by Indigenous and Tribal communities, including the Dawnland Confederacy of the Wabanaki Nation and the Abenaki / Abénaquis peoples of the N’dakina Nation. Blue Sky is actively building relationships with local Wabanaki leaders and will ensure their inclusion at the Convening. To learn more, visit the Wabanaki Alliance, formed by the Mi’kmaq Nation, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Passamaquoddy Tribe, and Penobscot Nation, to “educate people of Maine about the need for securing sovereignty of the tribes in Maine.”

Agenda

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 – Welcome, Grounding & Connection

Activities: On Wednesday afternoon, participants may opt into site visits, tours, hikes, and hands-on activities with local outdoor access providers. Registration for these optional add-ons will open this summer. These experiences provide an opportunity to see networked impact in action. For those not participating in guided visits, time will be held for informal exploration, networking, and self-guided wandering at Wolfe’s Neck.

Opening Reception: On Wednesday evening, attendees will gather for an informal reception at Wolfe’s Neck to reconnect with peers, meet new colleagues, and learn about the region’s ecology and stewardship communities. Participants will arrive into a space that reflects the core premise of our gathering: that relationships are the infrastructure of impact. 

Thursday, October 8, 2026 – The Power of Networks in Action

Thursday programming will center the power of networks to drive measurable impact and systems change toward more equitable environmental education and connections to nature.

The morning will focus on Networks and Impact. Through round tables, facilitated table discussions, and presentations, funders will explore how philanthropic impact and community power are being measured through innovative evaluation, storytelling, and data collection initiatives. Participants will help shape the future of a more robust, actionable data-mapping initiative—designed to better inform grantmaking, collaboration, and strategic alignment across funders. Opportunities for partnership will be explored.

The afternoon shifts to Networks and Advocacy, highlighting how coordinated, movement-wide infrastructure can unlock federal resources and policy change. Participants will explore how philanthropy is supporting networked power-building strategies that move beyond isolated grants toward systemic impact.  New opportunities for collaboration will be uplifted.

Throughout the day, sessions will emphasize practical application—how funders can align strategies, invest in shared infrastructure, and participate in coordinated action that strengthens the field as a whole.

Optional themed dinner (cost at your expense). Sign-ups will be shared closer to the date.

Friday, October 9, 2026 – Collective Learning & Emergent Strategy

The final day embraces an “unconference” format, creating space for participant-driven dialogue, peer exchange, and emergent strategy.

Through facilitated table conversations and learning salons, attendees will dive deeper into key areas such as land justice, nature and health, narrative change, and nature-based early childhood education. These sessions are designed to surface insights, share real-world challenges, and identify opportunities for alignment across regions and issue areas.

The convening will close with a sense of momentum and shared purpose, equipping participants to carry forward new relationships, insights, and strategies that strengthen the broader movement for equitable access to nature.

Optional themed dinner (cost at your expense). Sign-ups will be shared closer to the date.

Hotel

Hotel Highlights

• Complimentary Breakfast & daily afternoon tea
• Free WiFi & parking
• Fitness center
• Quick walk to downtown Freeport (restaurants + bars, shopping, and more)
• 10-minute drive to the Convening venue, Wolfe’s Neck

Book Your Room 

We have secured a discount of 15% off the best available rate for Convening attendees. Once you click the link and select your dates, click “+ More Rates” to view the Wolfe’s Neck discounted rate plan.

Rooms are limited – Book ASAP.

Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors for powering our 2026 Convening and investing in the future of outdoor access and environmental education!

Please join the leaders above in investing in this event and the future of our movement by donating to Blue Sky Funders Forum’s Convening Fund.

FAQ

I’m not a funder. Can I attend? 

Blue Sky’s work thrives on the deep relationships and collaboration we share with movement leaders, nonprofits, legislators, and community leaders. However, Blue Sky is a funder network, and grantmakers often need space to gather with their peers. To foster meaningful connections among our funder members and network, we’ve extended special invitations to key movement leaders on our Design Team, and will compensate them for their time and expertise in co-creating this event with us.

Are non-Blue Sky members able to join?

Yes! We welcome all funders and grantmakers interested in or already funding environmental education, outdoor access, and meaningful experiences in nature. You do not need to be a Blue Sky member to join the celebration. 

Will this event be accessible? 

Blue Sky Funders Forum strives to make every event accessible and inclusive for all participants. During registration, you’ll be asked about any accessibility needs. Please let us know if you require additional accommodations or have specific requests. Your wellbeing is our top priority, and we want to ensure a comfortable and supportive experience for everyone.

What is the attire? 

There is no formal dress code, but we recommend business casual. Please prioritize your comfort and check the weather.

What hotel should I stay at? 

We recommend taking advantage of the 15% discount by booking at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport. Book through this link. Once you click the link and select your dates, click “+ More Rates” and select the Wolfe’s Neck discounted rate plan.

If there are no more rooms available at the Inn, there are many B&B’s, inns, and hotels nearby. We recommend staying in Freeport to be close to the Convening venue, Wolfe’s Neck.

What airport should I fly into?

The closest airport is the Portland International Jetport (PWM). It’s about a 30-minute drive from the Jetport to downtown Freeport, where we recommend folks stay.

Boston Logan International Airport is the closest major airport, about 2.5 hours from Freeport.

When should I arrive / depart?

To take full advantage of Blue Sky’s Convening gatherings, we recommend arriving by 12 pm ET on Wednesday, October 7. We will conclude our gathering around 5 pm ET on Friday, October 9, and recommend looking for evening or next-day flights home.

What are the transportation options?

There are no public transportation options between Freeport and our venue, Wolfe’s Neck, and there are very limited options between the Portland International Jetport and Freeport. Blue Sky will facilitate a ride-share signup system to help connect visitors with locals and those who have access to cars (more info soon).