ANCA CONNECTS: Risk Management for Nature Centers
Description
Nature centers offer valuable outdoor learning experiences, but these experiences are not without risk. How can nature centers effectively manage risks associated with outdoor activities, and what are the standards and good practices for doing so?
In this ANCA CONNECTS program, we'll explore these questions and address the fundamentals of risk management for our organizations. We'll start by defining risk management and examining a model of incident prevention and mitigation specifically designed for outdoor programs.
We’ll next walk through good safety practices for outdoor programs, and discuss specific, actionable steps that you can take to improve safety outcomes at your organization. You'll also receive access to additional resources on outdoor safety that you can review following the program.
If you want to strengthen your organization’s safety culture and ensure that your staff are prepared to handle risks with confidence and care, this program is for you.
This program takes place on Zoom and will be recorded. If you register, you’ll receive a link to the recording afterward.
Who should attend: Any professional at a nature center or related organization whose work relates to risk management
Registration:
- $20 ANCA Members and staff/board at ANCA Organization Members
- $40 Non-members
Facilitator: Jeff Baierlein, Director, Viristar
Jeff Baierlein is the Director of the consultancy Viristar, which provides training, accreditation and consulting services on risk management, curriculum design and other subjects for environmental education, outdoor and adventure programs worldwide.
Jeff led environmental education activities at the Aullwood Audubon Center, Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center, Mass Audubon Wildwood Nature Camp, and Audubon Ecology Camp in Maine. He also served as the Director of Education Services at NatureBridge-Olympic, the Executive Director at the Boojum Institute for Experiential Education, and Executive Director at Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School. Jeff was appointed to the Washington State Governor’s Council on Environmental Education, served as a Trustee of the Northwest Environmental Education Council, and is Safety Advisor for the Center for Ecological Teaching & Learning.
Jeff is the author of "Risk Management for Outdoor Programs: A Guide to Safety in Outdoor Education, Recreation & Adventure," is an expert witness in outdoor safety, and has provided risk management consulting and training services for outdoor professionals in over 75 countries on six continents. He has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Education and a Master’s in Management, and lives in Seattle on the traditional land of the Coast Salish people.
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If you have questions, please contact ANCA Director of Programs & Member Services Daniel Auer, at