“Each year, this is the week I look forward to most! Being relatively new to the profession, ANCA has served as my go-to for information regarding the direction of my center.”
— 2025 Summit Participant
ANCA Annual Summit
THE ANCA ANNUAL SUMMIT is the premier professional development opportunity for leaders of nature centers and related environmental organizations. With a focus on leadership and management practices for our unique profession, the Summit provides participants with a wealth of strategies and resources to help them excel in their work.
Join us for the 2026 Summit, August 24–28 at Chippewa Nature Center (CNC) in Midland, Michigan. Located within Michigan's Great Lakes Bay region, CNC offers a vibrant backdrop for connection and learning.
The Summit theme, Confluence, reflects the coming together of knowledge and perspectives within the ANCA community. CNC sits at the confluence of the Pine and Chippewa Rivers, and Midland lies at the meeting point of two rivers as well. This confluence shapes the region’s ecology and sense of place, where distinct currents meet and move forward together. The Summit invites that same spirit, bringing together diverse experiences to foster shared learning across our field.
Whether you're just starting out in the field or you're a seasoned professional, this event offers a chance to step back from day-to-day responsibilities, gain new perspectives, and build meaningful connections with colleagues who understand your work. You’ll leave the Summit with fresh ideas and a reliable network that will strengthen your organization and expand your impact.
This year’s event includes dynamic sessions, field experiences, networking opportunities, and more, all combining to offer you a rich professional development experience. Program spaces are limited — we encourage you to register today so that you have your pick of programs. Scholarships are available.
Programs are the core of the ANCA Summit. In the variety of Summit programs, you will connect with peers and experts in a supportive learning environment, while also building a professional network that will strengthen your work well beyond the Summit.
The Summit schedule features a diverse range of activities, all designed to enrich the knowledge and skills of leaders at nature centers and related environmental organizations.
Located at the confluence of the Tittabawassee and Chippewa Rivers, Midland offers a comfortable and scenic location for the Summit. Lodging options include two official Summit hotel partners.
For Summit participants, Chippewa Nature Center offers an opportunity to explore a multi-faceted institution that has navigated decades of growth and community partnership.
The ANCA Annual Summit offers a unique opportunity to showcase your brand to an engaged audience of nature center professionals. By becoming a sponsor, your business will connect with the people who make key decisions at environmental organizations across North America.
Curious about the Summit? Here are FAQs about the event.
