THE ANCA ANNUAL SUMMIT, taking place this year August 21-25 at The Ecology School in Saco, Maine, is the premier professional development opportunity for leaders of nature centers, outdoor schools, and related organizations. With a focus on leadership and management practices for our unique profession, the Summit provides participants with a wealth of knowledge, strategies, and resources to help them excel in their work.
The Ecology School's rustic campus provides the perfect backdrop for this week of learning and networking. Situated on a historic 105-acre farm just twenty minutes from the Maine coast, The Ecology School will allow Summit participants to explore the natural wonders of Maine while connecting with peers in a scenic and welcoming setting.
Whether you're just starting out in the field or you're a seasoned professional, don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with professional peers.
"Absolutely amazing. I came away energized with new ideas, new contacts, and a sense of community and support!"
— 2022 Summit Participant
An aerial view of The Ecology School's campus in Saco, Maine.
About the Summit
The Ecology School
The 2023 ANCA Annual Summit will take place in person at The Ecology School, an outdoor school that transforms how people think about science, food, the environment, and themselves through joyful, hands-on learning for all ages. The Ecology School operates from its campus at River Bend Farm, a historic farm located on a scenic bend in the Saco River. The campus features an agroecology farm and buildings designed to meet the Living Building Challenge, so that visitors can directly explore sustainable living practices, food systems, and ecosystem conservation.
In the variety of Summit programs, you can connect with peers and experts in a supportive learning environment, while also building a network of professional relationships that will strengthen your work throughout the year. Programs include:
Facilitated Discussions
FACILITATED DISCUSSIONS
Share with your peers, learn new ideas, and work together to find solutions.
Workshops
WORKSHOPS
Learn in-depth on a single topic, expand your skill set, and engage directly with experts.
Open Space
OPEN SPACE
Create your own meeting, continue a session that needs more time, or find a group to address a topic that was not presented elsewhere.
Field Workshops
FIELD WORKSHOPS
Visit nature education sites in southern Maine and explore their operations firsthand.
Field Trips
FIELD TRIPS
Visit additional sites, spend time with local experts, and interact with peers.
Networking
NETWORKING
Grow your professional network and create connections that will endure long after the Summit.
Inside a dorm room at The Ecology School.Built to the highest standards of sustainable construction as part of the Living Building Challenge, The Ecology School's Dormitory immerses participants in a restful forest setting near the beautiful Saco River. From the Dormitory all of River Bend Farm is immediately available, with over three miles of trails, a one-acre sustainable farm, and a waterfront on the Saco River to explore.
If you choose to stay at a location other than River Bend Farm, we encourage you to book your stay as soon as possible — coastal Maine is a popular destination in August, and lodging availability will be competitive.
All programs on your selected days, including extensive options for concurrent sessions, two Field Workshops, and three unique networking opportunities
All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), Monday evening through Friday morning
Leaders and aspiring leaders at nature centers, outdoor schools, and related organizations. This includes executive directors, CEOs, board members, and managers, as well as staff who are interested in leadership within the nature center profession.
“I found each session I attended to be relevant to my role in my organization as well as full of practical information. I never felt once that what I was learning couldn't be applied to help my center grow and become a better resource for my community.”
Typically 100-200 people. This small size means that you have the time and space to build meaningful connections with Summit participants and presenters —in other words, you won’t get lost in the crowd.
I really enjoyed the small group and formatting of this conference. It helped to increase comfort as a new attendee by making conversation and interaction easier with participants.
If you’re part of the nature center field, there is no better space for your professional growth — the Summit is a supportive environment where you can learn in-depth about nature center management and operations. The variety of programs allows you to engage with both experts and peers who understand the challenges you face and have insights to offer. Beyond programs, too, you have the opportunity to visit multiple nature education sites and see their operations firsthand.
Lastly, the Summit’s impact lasts long after the event is over. Not only do you have new ideas, resources, and plans to implement at your organization, but you also have a strengthened professional network that can support your work throughout the year.
All things pertaining to the management of nature centers and related organizations, as well as trends in our profession. Program topics are specific to leaders and aspiring leaders of these organizations, and you will find answers to both big-picture and nuts-and-bolts questions in these programs.
How is the ANCA Summit different from other conferences?
The Summit contains programming that is exclusive to an audience of directors and managers at nature centers, outdoor schools, and environmental learning centers. While other conferences may lightly touch on such programming topics, the ANCA Summit dives deep into the logistics of organizational management and leadership.
The event contains traditional conference elements such as workshops, but it also features an emphasis on peer-to-peer learning and connection. Because each participant is a leader (or aspiring leader) at their organization, they already bring with them expertise and experience that they can share. As such, program formats like Facilitated Discussions and Open Space are designed specifically for collaboration and exchange, rather than presentation of a single viewpoint.
Lastly, the Summit is smaller in scale than other conferences in adjacent professions — typically 100-200 people attend. This size means that you have the time and space to build meaningful connections with Summit participants and presenters, and you know that everyone in attendance is a professional with whom you can relate.
“This was the best professional development opportunity I've taken part of in my time as an executive director. I got so much out of every single session I went to, and wished I was able to go to more!”
Please attend! You don’t need to have been in the profession for any set amount of time — some people attend the Summit before they start their role at a nature center. If you’re in a similar situation or are just starting in your position, we welcome you to the event and know that it will help you in your work.
No. ANCA offers a variety of virtual programming throughout the year for both ANCA members and non-members, and we encourage you to participate in those programs. Please see our ANCA CONNECTS page for more information.
Is the location accessible for people with mobility-related disabilities?
The Ecology School's dormitory and dining commons are fully ADA accessible. The dormitory includes ADA accessible rooms and bathrooms. We will use four meeting yurts that have an incline ramp and manual doors. The farmhouse, which we will use for small meeting sessions, includes two manual door entrances: one with one step, the other with four steps.
The main campus is accessible via gravel paths, wide dirt paths, and access roads. The forest trails include rough terrain.
Summit participants may indicate on the Registration Form if they need any medical or mobility-related special accommodations, and ANCA will work to provide such accommodations.
Still have questions? Email ANCA Membership & Programs Coordinator Daniel Auer at .
Sponsorship
Do you have a business that would benefit from engaging with Summit participants? We offer a variety of sponsor packages through which you can support the nature center field while building brand awareness and marketing leads among decision-makers at organizations throughout North America.
An aerial view of The Ecology School's campus in Saco, Maine.
Inside a dorm room at The Ecology School.Built to the highest standards of sustainable construction as part of the Living Building Challenge, The Ecology School's Dormitory immerses participants in a restful forest setting near the beautiful Saco River. From the Dormitory all of River Bend Farm is immediately available, with over three miles of trails, a one-acre sustainable farm, and a waterfront on the Saco River to explore.