Watersmith Guild Founder and Director, Ian Smith, has been selected as the Keynote Speaker at the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators Annual Conference. The conference will take place at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, PA from March 10th - 12th, 2025.

About the presentation:

Waves Between Us will illustrate how the burgeoning sport of river surfing, the art of filmmaking, and conservation unites underserved communities with their local watersheds and empowers them to create positive change through deepened connection and partnerships. The foundation of the presentation will focus on a program designed around these principles called, First Waves. Founded in 2014, First Waves is a cooperative program that addresses disparate issues of access, education, pollution, and climate change for environmental justice communities. The program’s success is achieved through dynamic partnerships and workshops that incorporate unique and engaging elements of outdoor adventure, youth mentorship, environmental education, and the art of filmmaking.

For more information about the keynote and conference visit: https://www.paee.net/keynote/