LEARNING CONFERENCE

Cina Canada is the founder and director of Wild Arts Learning. Her background is in international documentary film and media production, kids nature camps and nature-based arts education. Her current focus is developing the Wild Arts Learning Curriculum for educators and the Wild Arts Learning Center in Springfield, MO. She specializes in facilitating educators and creating spaces and opportunities for kids and adults to connect with the natural world through hands-on experiential learning.

Myke Gemkow is a educator with a background in establishing Montessori schools and programs with an emphasize on optimizing spaces for hands-on learning. He specializes in individualized education, trauma-informed practices, working with neuro-diverse learners, children with learning and emotional differences, and curriculum development. He and his wife Claire run their farm and the Dockley Ranch home school program in Douglas County, Missouri. The are also the founders and organizers of the Highlonesome Music festival at their ranch. 

Matt Levy of Matt Levy Ceramics is an artist and educator. Raised in Flagstaff, AZ and educated in Wisconsin and Montana, Matt's connection to the geology around him and the materials found within are the constant driving force in his practice. He is a Materialist at heart, motivated by what can be found in the soil beneath his feet and the rocks he finds in the landscape. He is co-author of the book "Wild Clay: Creating Ceramics and Glazes from Natural and Found Resources."

Justine Lines Justine Lines has been teaching high school biology in the Springfield Public Schools for the past 30 years. She is a strong advocate for hands-on learning, believing that engaging in creative activities enhances hand-eye coordination, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. This approach fosters creativity, refines ideas, and promotes a greater enthusiasm for learning when minds and hands work together.

Currently, Justine serves as the director of Glade, the Green Leadership Academy for Diverse Ecosystems, which was developed by the Greater Ozarks Audubon Society (GOAS). This weeklong camp is designed for conservation-minded teenagers in Southwest Missouri and is funded through grants and donations. Its focus is on the prairies of Neosho and Joplin. Additionally, she is a board member of both the Missouri Environmental Education Association and GOAS. Justine has a particular interest in soils and composting in Springfield, which she finds fascinating and considers to be one of the area's most precious resources.

Lily Urmann is a biomimic, educator and nature communicator. She is the creator and host of "Learning from Nature: The Biomimicry Podcast." She specializes in biomimicry, the practice of learning from nature’s forms, processes, and systems to create life-friendly designs that benefit both people and the planet. She is currently a visiting professor at Pratt Institute and runs after-school nature connection programs for the Kiva Center atDenver, CO elementary schools. Her passion lies at the intersection of biomimicry, place-based experiential education, and engaging change-agents in this exciting field.