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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260910T093000
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SUMMARY:State of the Northeast: Nature Access\, Environmental Education & Philanthropy
DESCRIPTION:Looking for one powerful—and abundant—lever for improving health\, education\, economic opportunity\, climate resilience\, and community wellbeing across the Northeast? Look to nature. \n\n\n\nResearchers\, practitioners\, and policymakers increasingly recognize nature as a powerful catalyst for change. But realizing that potential requires investment in the people\, networks\, policies\, and community infrastructure that make meaningful connections to nature possible. \n\n\n\nWhat does that ecosystem look like in the Northeast and where can philanthropy make the greatest difference? \n\n\n\nJoin Blue Sky Funders Forum\, Trust for Public Land\, NAAEE affiliates\, and regional partners for a 90-minute virtual funder gathering exploring the state of nature connection\, outdoor access\, and environmental education across the Northeast. \n\n\n\nWe’ll combine Blue Sky’s regional grantmaking data with perspectives from funders and movement leaders to explore what’s changing on the ground\, where gaps remain\, and where greater philanthropic coordination could strengthen the region. \n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nTogether\, we’ll explore:\n\n\n\n\nWhere is philanthropy investing and where are the gaps?\n\n\n\nWhat are movement leaders seeing that the data doesn’t tell us?\n\n\n\nHow are policy shifts affecting nature access and environmental education?\n\n\n\nWhere could greater funder coordination strengthen the regional ecosystem?\n\n\n\nWhat partnerships and investments could philanthropy help accelerate?\n\n\n\n\nParticipants will leave with a clearer picture of the Northeast funding and movement landscape\, new connections\, and opportunities for greater regional collaboration. \n\n\n\nFeatured Regional Perspectives\n\n\n\n\nBlue Sky Funders Forum: Regional philanthropic investment and Tracking the Field data\n\n\n\nMaine Environmental Education Association: Environmental education trends\, priorities\, and opportunities\n\n\n\nTrust for Public Land: Parks\, public lands\, policy\, community wellbeing\, and climate resilience\n\n\n\nFunders + Movement Leaders: Perspectives from the field and opportunities for philanthropic action\n\n\n\n\nAdditional speakers to be announced. \n\n\n\nWho Should Attend?\n\n\n\nFunders investing in—or curious about—nature connection\, outdoor access\, environmental education\, youth development\, health\, climate resilience\, environmental justice\, and related work across the Northeast. \n\n\n\nThis gathering is open to funders only. \n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nThank you to our co-sponsors:
URL:https://blueskyfundersforum.org/event/state-of-the-northeast-nature-access-environmental-education-philanthropy/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260923T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260923T153000
DTSTAMP:20260828T214027Z
CREATED:20260828T173932Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260828T214027Z
UID:10000079-1790170200-1790177400@blueskyfundersforum.org
SUMMARY:Climate Week Happy Hour: Art\, Ecology\, & Community
DESCRIPTION:Step into the garden for an exhibition tour\, botanical painting activity\, and a chance to connect outdoors during Climate Week. \n\n\n\nStep out of the conference rooms and into the garden! Amid the bustle of Climate Week\, join Blue Sky Funders Forum and the Lower East Side Ecology Center for an outdoor happy hour—a chance to get outside\, slow down\, and connect with one another and the natural world. \n\n\n\nGather with us at the Clyde Romero Memorial Garden to experience Green Between\, an art exhibition that transforms the garden into a living gallery where art meets ecology. Tour the exhibition\, reflect on community gardens as hubs of community and environmental activism\, and talk about the role they play in bringing people together and connecting us to nature.   \n\n\n\nCome take a break from the wonderful craziness of Climate Week\, spend some time outdoors\, and reconnect—with nature\, with art\, and with each other.
URL:https://blueskyfundersforum.org/event/climate-week-happy-hour-art-ecology-community/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260930T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260930T130000
DTSTAMP:20260818T204645Z
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SUMMARY:Environmental Health\, Data Centers\, and the Case for Equity in the Southeast
DESCRIPTION:This webinar is hosted by Grantmakers In Health and co-sponsored by Appalachia Funders Network\, Blue Sky Funders Forum\, and Health and Environmental Funders Network.  \n\n\n\nThe Southeast faces some of the nation’s most persistent environmental health challenges\, which are a product of decades of disinvestment\, discriminatory policy\, and regulatory failure. Now\, a new concern is emerging as the region has become a prime target for massive data center development. These facilities can use millions of gallons of water per day\, strain regional grids\, and compound existing health challenges. \n\n\n\nThis webinar opens with a grounding in the region’s environmental health landscape and what the data center build-out means for community health. The conversation then turns to a community leader\, whose work has reshaped national policy\, followed by a funder with investment in environmental health\, who will share what meaningful partnership and effective philanthropy look like on the ground. \n\n\n\nPanelists Include: \n\n\n\n\nAdrienne Hollis\, Vice President\, National Wildlife Federation\n\n\n\nLaTricea Adams\, President\, Young\, Gifted and Green\n\n\n\nShilpa Joshi\, Director\, The Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund
URL:https://blueskyfundersforum.org/event/environmental-health-data-centers-and-the-case-for-equity-in-the-southeast/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261007T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261009T170000
DTSTAMP:20260828T154155Z
CREATED:20260410T202648Z
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SUMMARY:2026 Annual Convening
DESCRIPTION:Add a header to begin generating the table of contents						 \n									\n				\n			\n\n\n\n				\n				\n						\n													\n																							\n						Add a header to begin generating the table of contents						 \n									\n				\n			\n\n\n\n\n\nRegistration is Open! \n\n\n\nThis fall\, October 7-9\, we invite you to join us in Maine for our 2026 annual funder gathering to experience firsthand how strong networks create healthier people\, stronger communities\, and more equitable access to nature. \n\n\n\nRather than a traditional conference\, this convening is designed as an encounter—one that helps participants build relationships\, experience Maine as a living laboratory\, and explore how philanthropy can invest in the trust\, collaboration\, and shared leadership that enable lasting systems change. \n\n\n\nThe theme\, Nurturing Networks\, reflects our belief that the solutions to our greatest challenges already exist within communities. Our opportunity is to strengthen the connections among people\, organizations\, and ideas so those solutions can spread\, adapt\, and thrive.  \n\n\n\nThroughout the gathering\, participants will explore how networked approaches can advance land justice\, nature and health\, nature-based early childhood education\, outdoor equity\, policy\, and narrative change\, while developing new partnerships and concrete commitments that continue long after the convening ends. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\nRegistration Deadline\n\n\n\nTo ensure we have an accurate headcount\, registration will close on October 2. Register today to save your spot! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nQuestions\n\n\n\n\nContact Onika Abraham Lee for any questions related to programming \n\n\n\nContact Berkeley Bryant for questions related to logistics and registration\n\n\n\n\nDesign Team\n\n\n\nOur 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. \n\n\n\n\nAmie Hutchison\, Sewall Foundation\n\n\n\nLynne Seeley\, Ferguson Family Foundation\n\n\n\nRosalind Erwin\, Onion Foundation\n\n\n\nTyler Kidder\, Maine Philanthropy Center\n\n\n\nHannah Quimby\, Quimby Family Foundation\n\n\n\nOlivia Griset\, Maine Environmental Education Association\n\n\n\nMoon Machar\, Maine Association for New Americans\n\n\n\nPame Chevez\, Palmar Collective\n\n\n\nCameron Brewer\n\n\n\nKaya Lolar\, Maine Environmental Education Association\n\n\n\n\nVenue\n\n\n\nWe’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.  \n\n\n\nWhile 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.” \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFeatured Speakers\n\n\n\n\nIn 2025\, Hali Lee was named to the inaugural Time100 Philanthropy in recognition of her work building collective giving. Her work has been covered by the Washington Post\, New York Times\, and Good Housekeeping\, who called her “The Mindful Giver” and one of “10 Women Over 50 Who Prove It’s Never Too Late to Change the World.” Her first book\, The Big We\, was published by Sweet July/ Zando in 2025. \n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a marine biologist\, policy expert\, and writer. She is co-founder of the non-profit think tank Urban Ocean Lab\, a distinguished scholar at Bowdoin College\, and author of The New York Times bestseller What If We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures. She is in love with climate solutions. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAgenda\n\n\n\nWednesday\, October 7\, 2026 – Meet the Network\n\n\n\nOptional\, local afternoon activities and evening welcome conversations and reception\n\n\n\nParticipants begin their experience with optional Learning Journeys in coastal Maine\, exploring topics such as regenerative agriculture\, Indigenous stewardship\, coastal resilience\, nature-based early childhood education\, forest ecology\, outdoor belonging\, and watershed conservation. Click here for more information about each learning journey. \n\n\n\nThe evening then opens with a conversation with  Hali Lee\, author of The Big We: How Giving Circles Unlock Generosity\, Strengthen Community\, and Make Change\, exploring how philanthropy shifts from individual action toward collective stewardship and abundance. \n\n\n\nThursday\, October 8\, 2026 – Learn From the Network\n\n\n\nFull-Day Programming at Wolfe’s Neck from 9 am – 5 pm (lunch included)\n\n\n\nThrough conversations\, panels and interactive workshops\, participants will explore how networks drive systems change through culture and narrative\, community and relationships\, policy and collective action. Highlights include: \n\n\n\n\nA fireside conversation with New York Times bestselling author\, marine biologist\, and climate strategist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson\, PhD—co-editor of All We Can Save and author of What If We Get It Right? — exploring how we already have the knowledge\, relationships\, and solutions needed for systemic change\, and how philanthropy can help weave the networks and lift the narratives that bring those solutions to scale.\n\n\n\nA plenary exploring and informing ROOT Hub\, an idea seeded at a past Blue Sky Convening and grown through collective action among a group of Blue Sky members.  This initiative aims to accelerate and expand movement-wide federal advocacy to secure the benefits of environmental learning and equitable access to the outdoors as a human right for all young people — especially for youth and children of color.\n\n\n\nInteractive Encounters – facilitated workshops designed to build collective knowledge and inform collective action on topics including land justice\, youth leadership\, nature and health\, and community prosperity. Throughout the convening\, participants will also connect in small groups called base camps to deepen relationships\, reflect on their learning\, and connect ideas across topics.\n\n\n\n\nFriday\, October 9\, 2026 – Collective Learning & Emergent Strategy \n\n\n\nFull-Day Programming at Wolfe’s Neck from 9 am – 5 pm (lunch included)\n\n\n\nThe final day moves from inspiration toward implementation. Building on Thursday’s encounters\, participants will organize around shared priorities through action sessions and collaborative planning\, identifying new partnerships\, funding opportunities\, and collective commitments. Drawing inspiration from the People’s Agroecology Process\, the convening concludes with participants leaving not only with new knowledge\, but with one new collaborator\, one commitment\, one invitation\, and one concrete next step to strengthen the networks they steward in their own communities. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHotel\n\n\n\nHarraseeket Inn162 Main Street\, Freeport\, ME 04032\n\n\n\nHotel Highlights\n\n\n\n\nComplimentary Breakfast & daily afternoon tea\n\n\n\nFree WiFi & parking \n\n\n\nFitness center\n\n\n\nQuick walk to downtown Freeport (restaurants + bars\, shopping\, and more)\n\n\n\n10-minute drive to the Convening venue\, Wolfe’s Neck \n\n\n\n\nBook Your Room \n\n\n\nWe 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.  \n\n\n\nRooms are limited — Book here ASAP. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSponsors\n\n\n\nThank you to our sponsors for powering our 2026 Convening and investing in the future of outdoor access and environmental education! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPlease 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. \n\n\n\nLearn more about sponsorship levels and benefits here\, and reach out to Onika Abraham Lee\, Blue Sky’s Executive Director\, at onika@blueskyfundersforum.org to pledge your support as a sponsor. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFAQ\n\n\n\nI’m not a funder. Can I attend? \n\n\n\nBlue 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 benefit from dedicated space to gather\, learn\, and build relationships with their peers. \n\n\n\nOrganizations that provide at least $50\,000 annually to support outdoor learning\, outdoor experiences\, and connections to nature across at least five grantee organizations\, and that distribute more funding than they raise for their own operations\, are considered eligible funders and are welcome to attend our National Convening. \n\n\n\nIn the spirit of our Nurturing Networks theme\, and to foster meaningful connections between our funder members and the broader ecosystem of organizations they support\, we will also welcome a limited number of movement leaders and practitioners whose perspectives and expertise can enrich our collective learning on the topics being explored at this year’s convening. These invitations will be informed by our Design Team—a group of both Blue Sky members and non-funding movement leaders who have helped shape the vision\, themes\, and content of the convening since last fall. We are grateful for their leadership and partnership and are compensating them for their time\, expertise\, and contributions to the co-creation of this event over the past several months. \n\n\n\nAre non-Blue Sky members able to join?\n\n\n\nYes! 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.  \n\n\n\nWill this event be accessible? \n\n\n\nBlue 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. \n\n\n\nWhat is the attire? \n\n\n\nThere is no formal dress code\, but we recommend business casual. Please prioritize your comfort and check the weather. \n\n\n\nWhat hotel should I stay at? \n\n\n\nWe 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.  \n\n\n\nIf 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.  \n\n\n\nWhat airport should I fly into? \n\n\n\nThe 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.  \n\n\n\nBoston Logan International Airport is the closest major airport\, about 2.5 hours from Freeport.  \n\n\n\nWhen should I arrive / depart? \n\n\n\nTo 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.  \n\n\n\nWhat are the transportation options? \n\n\n\nThere 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).
URL:https://blueskyfundersforum.org/event/2026-annual-convening/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261109T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261109T110000
DTSTAMP:20260331T192656Z
CREATED:20260331T192654Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T192656Z
UID:10000069-1794218400-1794222000@blueskyfundersforum.org
SUMMARY:Blue Sky Member-Only Coffee Chat: Debriefing the Convening & Next Steps
DESCRIPTION:Whether you joined us in Maine for the 2026 Blue Sky Convening or not\, please come debrief with your peers and co-create an action plan for Blue Sky. We’ll share key takeaways and where we see opportunity to lean in\, and will seek your feedback. Help us co-create and shape the Blue Sky community we want to see in 2027 and beyond!  \n\n\n\nA more formal agenda will be shared closer to the date.  \n\n\n\nThis call will be recorded and shared with members. This Coffee Chat is for current members of the Blue Sky Funders Forum. Interested in becoming a member? Contact Berkeley (berkeley@blueskyfundersforum) to learn more.
URL:https://blueskyfundersforum.org/event/blue-sky-member-coffee-chat-debriefing-the-convening/
CATEGORIES:Coffee Chat
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