ANCA CONNECTS: Grassy Waters Preserve in West Palm Beach, FL

Friday, November 8 — 11am-4:30pm (optional canoe trip starts at 9am)

Join us for a day of professional development and networking at Grassy Waters Preserve in West Palm Beach, Florida. This CONNECTS program offers you the opportunity to connect with professional peers while learning about the operations of nature centers, outdoor schools, and related organizations.

Grassy Waters Preserve is a 15,000-acre wetlands ecosystem that serves as the freshwater supply for West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, and South Palm Beach. The Grassy Waters wetland ecosystem is a mosaic of freshwater marshes, cypress swamps, and forested hammocks, explorable via 25 miles of trails for hiking and biking, kid-friendly walkways, and ADA accessible paths.

This program includes discussion-based sessions about operations at nature centers and outdoor schools. These sessions invite all participants to contribute to the discussion, so that you can hear a variety of perspectives from professionals at other organizations.

Throughout the program you will have opportunities to connect with peers and build your professional network. As such you will not only have new ideas and resources to implement at your organization following this CONNECTS, but you will also gain professional connections that can support your work throughout the year.

This ANCA CONNECTS program is for any professional at a nature center, outdoor school, or related organization. We welcome both ANCA members and non-members along with professionals from outside Florida to attend.

 

Registration

Registration includes the cost of a light breakfast, snack, and a boxed lunch.

• $35 — ANCA Members and staff of ANCA Organization Members
• $55 — Non-Members

Register here

The registration deadline is November 1.

 

Schedule

All times are ET.

9-11am	Canoe Tour (Optional) Join Grassy Waters naturalists on an easy, 1.5-hour paddle through the shallow waters of this pristine remnant of the northern Everglades to explore the history and ecology of the area. Closed-toe shoes required, must sign a waiver.
11-11:30am	Check-in
11:30am-12pm	Welcome & Introductions
12-12:30pm	Explore Grassy Waters Preserve Including a presentation of the Nature Center and a short guided boardwalk hike.
12:30-1:30pm	Lunch & Networking
1:30-2pm	Open Space Planning
2-4pm	Open Space Sessions
4:15pm	Wrap-up and Farewell
4:30pm	Adjourn

  

Sessions

This CONNECTS will use an Open Space format where any participant can suggest a session topic; all participants then collectively decide which session topics will be held.

Sessions are discussion-based, where participants contribute to the conversation and a facilitator guides the dialogue to keep the discussions on track and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate. These discussions allow you to share with your peers, learn new ideas, and work together to find solutions.

If you suggest a topic and it is chosen as a session, you will be asked to introduce the topic and facilitate the discussion among the participants. Because all participants contribute to the conversation, as the facilitator you do not need to be perceived as the expert in the room; you can simply start the conversation and engage accordingly.

This system allows you to collaboratively create your experience, and provides the opportunity for you to be an active participant rather than a passive listener.

Session Topics

Topics may include any subject pertaining to the management of nature centers and related organizations, as well as trends in our profession. 

Examples of topics include:

 

About Grassy Waters Preserve

Grassy Waters Preserve is a pristine Everglades habitat spanning 15,000 acres, an area roughly the size of Manhattan.  Not only is the Preserve a refuge for unique plants and animals, it also serves as the freshwater supply for the residents of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, and South Palm Beach. 

Unlike most of Florida’s wetland ecosystems, the Grassy Waters region has been minimally impacted by human activities and development thanks to its role as a regional water supply. Today, the Department of Public Utilities Watershed Management Division ensures the continued beauty of the Preserve’s wetlands.

The Grassy Waters wetland ecosystem is a mosaic of freshwater marshes, cypress swamps, and forested hammocks. Commonly sighted species include alligators, white ibis, great blue herons, and endangered Everglades snail kites.  You might even catch a glimpse of a river otter, bobcat, wild hog, roseate spoonbill, or white-tailed deer!

The Preserve can be explored along 25 miles of trails for hiking and biking, kid-friendly walkways, and ADA accessible paths.  Grassy Waters is dedicated to environmental education, providing K-12 students a living classroom to learn about the Everglades and the importance of wetlands.  Grassy Waters education staff also offer guided hiking, biking, and paddling excursions to the public.  

 

Location

Address: 8264 Northlake Blvd. / West Palm Beach, FL 33412
Directions on Google Maps

Nearby Hotels

The following hotels are off the intersection of I-95 & PGA Boulevard, within 7 miles of Grassy Waters Preserve.

• Hampton Inn Palm Beach Gardens
• DoubleTree by Hilton - Palm Beach Gardens
• Embassy Suites by Hilton Palm Beach Gardens PGA Boulevard
• Palm Beach Gardens Marriott