ASSOCIATION of NATURE CENTER ADMINISTRATORS
networking
programs
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Resources
“When I took my first nature center director position I was pretty green, so to speak, to the challenges and opportunities of being a nature center director. Luckily I found ANCA and in 1995 attended the first ANCA Summit at Treehaven in northern Wisconsin and it was truly an invaluable and life changing experience. I really did feel like I had found my people and life long friendships have resulted. ANCA is a wonderful organization and I am very grateful for all that is has done for me and so many of my colleagues and kindred spirits.” - Tim Sandsmark, Education Supervisor, Lookout Mountain Nature Center
Subcategories
Graduate Programs & Trainings
If you're looking for a progressive graduate program that blends theory and practice within a professional learning community the following programs have been identified by ANCA as unique graduate experiences. The programs are specifically designed for students who wish to establish a career in environmental education. All are associated with ANCA member institutions that provide a professional learning community, professional mentors, and a national network of academic and nonprofit partners and fit the following criteria:
- These are intensive and immersive programs that follow a cohort model where the current students start and finish the program together.
- All are graduate level programs (Master’s/PhD/EdD level) with credits provided by an accredited, degree-granting institution.
- All provide graduate level coursework and focused mentoring.
- There is dedicated faculty at the organization that has some status of higher education distinction by the university partner, e.g. Adjunct faculty.
- They blend theory, practical application, and experience within an intentional professional learning community.
- Many of these programs are residential with students living on site or in shared housing with fellow graduate students.
The nature and environmental learning center field consists of caring, creative, and resourceful people who excel at facing adversity head-on. No matter how challenging the circumstances, our members are finding ways to provide for their communities. I am inspired by these stories and will continue to do what I can to support our members. — Jen Levy, ANCA Executive Director
Every organization is limited in what it can do right now, given the situation of social distancing. You don't have to totally cancel your operations, however — instead, we must innovate to provide value in different ways. Here we are compiling stories of how ANCA members are responding to the coronavirus crisis so that you can find some inspiration for your own organization's response.
Indian Creek Nature Center Pivots to Virtual Plant Sale
One of Indian Creek Nature Center's most significant fundraisers, their annual plant sale couldn't be postponed due to timeliness of planting, and canceling would have meant a major loss of funding. That left one option: pivot. The center's team quickly moved the sale online, and still brought in over $25,000 in sales. Read how the team managed the change.
Create Calm out of Chaos
As leaders in the nature center profession, one of our roles is to be a steady, calm presence during times of chaos. But, how do you do that when the world you knew has turned upside down? Nancy Patterson, Manager of the Campbell Creek Science Center, shares nature-based leadership practices to help you create the calm out of chaos your community desires.
Planning When the World Changes Every Few Days
President/CEO Mark McKnight shares how Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center has been able to navigate the abrupt changes in the pandemic, and offers three suggestions for how other organizations can prepare for and respond to change. See his recommendations here.
Dunes Learning Center Inspires Imagination in "The Search for Sandsquatch"
The Dunes Learning Center is thinking big for their digital content — or perhaps, thinking bigfoot? Their video series, The Search for Sandsquatch, combines real-world problem-solving with an engaging storyline to connect with the Center's audiences. Find out more about how the search came to be.
Chattahoochee Nature Center Organizes Blood Drive, Saves Lives
Chattahoochee Nature Center considered hosting a blood drive in the past, but that was one of many possible activities. Once the coronavirus crisis came, however, they decided this was the right time to hold a blood drive with LifeSouth Community Blood Centers. Read Alicia Evans' story about how CNC saved lives.
AmeriCorps Members Finding New Ways to Serve the Community
When the coronavirus suddenly transformed our world, Severson Dells Nature Center's AmeriCorps volunteers switched gears from environmental education to helping serve food through Lifescape Community Services, Inc. Read about that switch here.
Huron County Nature Center Taps the Power of the Pen
When social distancing became the norm, Huron County Nature Center's naturalist asked herself how she could connect with children in the most impactful ways. Rather than create exclusively digital content, she went a different, more tangible route — and now has over 50 pen pals throughout the US. Read about Caitlin Stone-Webber's pen pal program here.
Fenner Nature Center Pivots to Virtual Marketplace
When Fenner Nature Center decided to cancel its fundraiser Maple Syrup Festival three days before it was scheduled, the staff pivoted to create an online Maple Marketplace in this time of social distancing. Learn how they developed a completely new system within 36 hours of canceling the festival.
Stokes Nature Center Fosters Digital Engagement in Face of Crisis
Many nature centers are pivoting to create digital content for their audiences in this time of social distancing. Read how Stokes Nature Center quickly developed their own plan to virtually connect with their audience.
If you're looking for a progressive graduate program that blends theory and practice within a professional learning community the following programs have been identified by ANCA as unique graduate experiences. The programs are specifically designed for students who wish to establish a career in environmental education. All are associated with ANCA member institutions that provide a professional learning community, professional mentors, and a national network of academic and nonprofit partners and fit the following criteria –
- These are intensive and immersive programs that follow a cohort model where the current students start and finish the program together.
- All are graduate level programs (Master’s/PhD/EdD level) with credits provided by an accredited, degree-granting institution.
- All provide graduate level coursework and focused mentoring.
- There is dedicated faculty at the organization that has some status of higher education distinction by the university partner, e.g. Adjunct faculty.
- They blend theory, practical application, and experience within an intentional professional learning community.
- Many of these programs are residential with students living on site or in shared housing with fellow graduate students.
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Antioch University New England
AUNE’s Department of Environmental Studies which educates in a collaborative interdisciplinary setting, is founded on the principles of environmental justice and sustainability. The oldest environmental studies program in the country, AUNE offers environmental education opportunities for Master of Science (MS) and doctoral candidates in an engaged learning community. Through course offerings, professional internships, and graduate capstones, students are grounded in environmental education theory as they gain hands-on experience in environmental science, civic ecology and stewardship practices, cultural competency, social justice, community resilience, positive youth and community development and understanding cities as socio-ecological systems and dynamic “classrooms” for all ages. Learn more at http://www.antiochne.edu
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IslandWood
IslandWood prepares leaders in innovative and inclusive education for a sustainable future. Our graduate certificate program in Education for Environment & Community, offered in partnership with the University of Washington's top-ranked College of Education is a 10-month outdoor teaching residency preparing culturally-responsive educators capable of catalyzing community and environmental stewardship.
Through graduate level coursework in environmental and justice-oriented education (equity and anti-bias work), biweekly field-teaching experiences, and one-on-one mentoring, students will:
- Learn best practices in integrated, experiential, student-centered learning
- Develop culturally-responsive teaching and curriculum development skills
- Deepen an understanding of the systems and theories behind educational practice
Learn more at www.islandwood.org/eec
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The University of Idaho - McCall Outdoor Science School
Located on Payette Lake in the Rocky Mountains of central Idaho, the MOSS Graduate Residency prepares professionals to shape our future generations of citizens. Graduates may serve in the classroom, in the field, as formal educators, or as resource professionals and will have the skills to effectively educate a diversity of learners through experiential methods, using the outdoors as an integrating context for learning about science, place and community. Through blended coursework and teaching practice, students will learn and grow as educators, scientists and leaders. Students earn a Master of Natural Resources in 12 months. Learn more at www.uidaho.edu/moss
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Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center, Goshen College
This holistic program will invigorate, expand and develop your teaching and leadership skills on our 1,200 acre preserve.Over the 33-credit, 11-month long program courses are delivered in class and in the field with February in the Bahamas. Our extensive teaching practicum combines seminars with a wide range of teaching experiences and audiences. Conferences and cross-disciplinary field trips explore nature centers, parks, city programs, and green schools A capstone project investigates a topic you choose, and applies it to regional needs through curriculum. Learn more at https://www.goshen.edu/merrylea/
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Southern Oregon University
The Master of Science in Environmental Education at Southern Oregon University equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to become effective educators and leaders in the environmental education field. This student led program is cohort based and provides opportunities for graduate students to create and implement all aspects of place-based environmental education field programs. The field element, called Fall in the Field, delivered at several sites around Southern Oregon, includes non-residential and residential environmental education experiences designed for K-12 learners. Participants develop critical thinking skills through hands-on standards-aligned lessons incorporating Citizen Science, service learning, and other place-based curriculum. Learn more at http://www.sou.edu/ee
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Teton Science Schools
Based in Grand Teton National Park, Teton Science Schools Graduate Program weaves together academic courses and teaching experiences that position the graduate student to make an effective impact in their chosen field. The Graduate Program is a unique combination of academic and practical educational training with academic courses in ecology and education coupled with teaching experiences in Jackson Hole as well as in Wyoming public and independent schools. During their year of residency at Teton Science Schools, students can earn up to 32 transferable graduate credits through the University of Wyoming from their academic and practicum experiences. Learn more at www.tetonscience.org
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Walking Mountains Science Center
Come work, learn and play in our beautiful mountain community! Walking Mountains Science Center is now accepting applications for our multi-faceted graduate fellowship. This is a unique 2 year and 3 month commitment through which Natural Science Educators will teach summer science camps and school field science programs while they simultaneously participate in a Master of Arts graduate program through the University of Norther Colorado and earn an M.A. in Science Education. Learn more at http://WalkingMountains.org
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Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
Wolf Ridge alumni continue to teach and lead the field of environmental education all over the world in formal classrooms, at state and national parks, in nature centers, zoos, museums, organic farms, and as artists and adventurers. Since 1974, the program has served almost 1000 adult students with diverse backgrounds who come to this learning community to sharpen their skills in environmental education. Employers seek these graduates for their commitment to excellence and demonstrated knowledge, skills and attitudes that lead to success in the education of and for the outdoors. You will leave as an independent, competent, and confident educator. Learn more at www.wolf-ridge.org
Content:
Environmental Education Program Resources/Visitor Services
- 9 Resources for environmental education lessons.
- The Children & Nature Network's Research and Resources page includes studies, reports, and publications on children and nature.
- Sign up to receive the Children & Nature Network's weekly newsletter with the latest research and studies, special reports, leadership alerts, writings from Richard Louv and others, links to funding opportunities, information on upcoming events and much more!
- Join the Climate Interpreter Community, which provides networking opportunities and resources for educators who want to discuss climate change with their communities.
- The Christmas Bird Count for Kids provides kids with the experience of being outdoors and learning about the joys of bird watching. The tally of total birds sighted is gathered at the end of the events and submitted to eBird, a nationally used bird data base for citizen scientists.
- EPA resources for teachers on hot topics, and for students.
- Museum 2.0 A blog that provides readers with ideas and research on the participatory museum experience.
- Nature Learning Initiative is another great resource for enhancing environments for early learners.
- Nature Net An environmental learning network with environmental educational resources.
- Nature Play & Learning Places by Robin C. Moore addresses how to enhance environments for early learners.
- College Affordability Guide helps students studying environmental science (and 30+ other subjects) save money on their education. The environmental science page gives an overview of the academic field, lists the most affordable environmental science programs in the United States, and covers important accreditations. A great resource for students interested in environmental science!
Other Nature Centers! They’re doing inspiring things every day, so be sure to like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Also check out the Wikipedia list of US Nature Centers for finding even more centers near you. Make sure your center is on both lists!
Nonprofit/Administrative Resources
- BoardSource An expensive, but good resource for funders, partners, and nonprofit leaders who want to magnify their impact within their community through exceptional governance practices.
- BoardSource LinkedIn Group A free LinkedIn group for those interested in board matters.
- National Council of Nonprofits A national voice for nonprofits with a mission to advance the vital role, capacity, and voice of charitable nonprofit organizations through our state and national networks.
Branding & Marketing Resources
- Branded Out Loud and The Nonprofit Marketing Blog Both of these branding and marketing blogs have been recommended by several ANCA as great resources.
- Or choose from the many great choices of blogs recommended by the Nonprofit Marketing Guide and the Active Network.
Financial Resources
- Nonprofit Resources from Vanguard This Vanguard site discusses fiduciary fundamentals and includes a toolkit of resources, including links to other relevant organizations.
Other Professional Associations
A list of professional organizations related to the environmental learning center field.
Tools You Can Afford
- ANCA Business Partners This page lists the businesses that support ANCA! These companies and organizations provide a wide range of products and services that relate to nature centers, environmental education, interpretation, and much more. Please consider supporting the businesses that support ANCA.
- Canva is another free online program that allows you to make collages using your own photos or free stock photos and designs.
- Pixler Need to create a photo collage for your newsletter, website, or an annual appeal? Pixler Express is an easy to use, free, online photo editor.
- Techsoup Is your organization a 501(c)(3) nonprofit? Chances are it qualifies for donated software and technology from top brands such as Microsoft, Intuit, Adobe, and Cisco. Donations from more than 40 other TechSoup donor partners are also available.
Other
- ANCA Reciprocal Program Increase visitation at your center, or just up your membership benefit to your members through this program. Participating centers offer benefits to members of other participating centers and receive benefits from other centers in return. Centers must be ANCA members to participate, but there is no further fee.
- LinkedIn Discussion Groups There are many groups on LinkedIn discussing everything from boards to marketing to fundraising to conservation to social media. And you can search past discussions of any group.
- NatureFind.com A free online tool for finding nature places and events near you. If you are looking for a list of days/weeks/months celebrating the Earth.
- Outdoor Afro has become the nation’s leading, cutting edge network that celebrates and inspires African American connections and leadership in nature. We help people take better care of themselves, our communities, and our planet.
