Publications
HOT OFF THE PRESS!
Branding & Marketing Your Nature Center
by Greta Bolger
The purpose of this 70 page monograph is to provide nature organizations with a set of best practices that can be used to increase visibility and impact within their communities and beyond. The Best Practices outlined here are intended to guide marketing professionals at all levels, as well as specialists from other disciplines, in the development of a unified marketing strategy and a cost-effective, measurable tactical plan.
$15 plus shipping - Order Form
Programs
by Ken Voorhis and Richard Haley
An 88-page monograph that shares great ideas and best practices about what is going on in the nature and environmental learning center programming field, what the standards are, and what is out there that is exceptionally noteworthy. Topics include core program principals, how to create excellent programs, what do great programs and teaching look like, and much more. Appendices include specific program information, planning tools, and evaluation forms. It's must-have resource for you and your program staff!
$20 plus shipping - Order Form
Interpretive Design of Nature Centers: Exhibits
by Donald Watson
This 32-page monograph provides guidelines and recommendations for undertaking an exhibit design project in new or existing sites and spaces. Topics include interpretive planning, visitor studies, interpretive artifacts and anecdotes, outdoor exhibits and interpretive trails, and evaluation. Suggested formats are provided for selecting and managing exhibit consultants and coordinating exhibits with buildings and sites.
$12 plus shipping - Order Form
Interpretive Design of Nature Centers: Buildings
by Donald Watson
This 40-page monograph is for nature center administrators, board members, and staff involved with planning new sites and buildings and/or remodeling existing sites and buildings for interpretation, exhibits, and educational programs.
$12 plus shipping - Order Form
The Search for Extraordinary Leadership: Securing your next Executive Director
by Corky McReynolds
Developed to outline a best practices process to engage and complete a successful search and screen for a center's next extraordinary leader, this 42 page monograph includes what to look for in a new leader; how to prepare your center for successful change; protocols for searching, screening, and transitioning; and much more.
$12 plus shipping - Order Form
Programming - Citizen Science
by Michelle Prisby and Paul Super
Citizen science is a research and educational tool that involves everyday people in real and meaningful forms of science, including biological inventory, long-term monitoring, and research. This 52-page monograph was developed to outline best practices in developing a citizen science program.
$12 plus shipping - Order Form
Director's Guide to Best Practices: Examples from the Nature and Environmental Learning Profession
by Norma Jeanne Byrd
The Director's Guide to Best Practices includes chapters on five essential areas: leadership, strategic planning, boards, staff, and fund raising. ANCA developed this book for busy directors and staff people with many roles and responsibilities. It is a handbook for those new to the profession, and will also challenge and inspire the most experienced directors and their staffs. ANCA members have also found it valuable to give to board members and volunteers.
Directors from 23 states and 40 different facilities reviewed and commented on the chapter drafts and evaluated the book's effectiveness. Development of the book was made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services with financial and volunteer support from ANCA.
$60 plus shipping - Order Form
The Nature Center Book: How to Create and Nurture a Nature Center in Your Community
by Brent Evens and Carolyn Chipman Evans
Published by the National Association for Interpretation's InterpPress, The Nature Center Book provides up-to-date information and expanded discussion of topics key to nature center development. It outlines lessons learned and important new developments in the field.
This edition includes updated information regarding organizations and resources, as well as expanded coverage of financial and organizational issues and government-based nature centers. The book, printed in full color, features more than 200 photographs.
$24 plus shipping - Order Form