ANCA CONNECTS: Warner Park Nature Center in Nashville, TN
Description
Friday, February 20 and Saturday, February 21
Strengthen your work by joining peers at Warner Park Nature Center in Nashville, Tennessee. This ANCA CONNECTS program offers focused networking and learning specifically for professionals at nature centers and related organizations.
You’ll connect with peers from across the region, delve into the operations of nature centers and related organizations, and explore the nature center while gaining firsthand insights from their facilities and programs.
You will be able to choose from a variety of sessions, all about nature center operations and management. This program will also include:
- Opportunities to network during an evening social event
- Educational workshop and field trip opportunities
- An inspirational guest speaker
This program is open to all professionals at nature centers, outdoor schools, and related organizations. We welcome both ANCA members and non-members, as well as participants traveling from outside Tennessee.
Can't attend both days? Don't worry — registration will include one-day options for those who can attend either only Friday or only Saturday.
Registration
Registration will open closer to the event.
Schedule
Friday, February 20
Afternoon — Workshops and Field Trips (time varies)
- You may choose to attend one of the following experiences:
BEETLES Training: Taking Science Education Outdoors (12:30-4pm)
Learn new strategies and routines to engage learners in core field science practices while exploring your park, nature center, school yard or other natural area! Experience activities that ignite wonder and curiosity in participants of all ages, while setting the foundation for making accurate observations, asking meaningful questions and engaging in evidence-based explanations. By the end of the workshop, you will leave with the scaffolding needed to effectively teach science in your outdoor environmental educational programs.
Explore Nashville’s Old Growth Forest (1:30-4pm)
Explore the ridges and hollows of the Hill Forest, Warner Parks’ undisturbed old growth forest ecosystem, home to diverse native wildlife and some of the largest trees in Nashville. This unique “wilderness in the city”, also a TN State Designated Natural Area, has no trails and is accessible only on naturalist-guided excursions. Participants should be prepared for a rugged off-trail experience covering approximately 3 miles.
Motus Workshop (1:30-4pm)
Building on decades of bird banding research at Warner Parks, in 2020 the BIRD team launched an avian research project called Motus. The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is an international, collaborative research network that uses automated radio telemetry to track the movements of animals. Learn how the Motus system works and what we have learned about avian use of Warner Parks from this cutting-edge technology.
Streamside Salamander Field Trip (1:30-4pm)
Living on the Edge: A talk and a walk with the endangered Streamside Salamander on the fringe of its range in Middle Tennessee. The Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri), is a state-listed endangered species in Tennessee and is under consideration for listed as federally endangered. Habitat conservation is vital to the recovery of this vulnerable stream-breeding species. Come learn all about these amazing creatures and their habitat with a presentation and 1.5 mile hike. Waterproof boots are encouraged.
5:30-7:30pm — Evening Social and Winter Astronomy
- Enjoy networking with live jazz, as well as a program led by astronomer Randy Oakes.
Saturday, February 21
8-9am — Check-in, light breakfast, site tour
9-9:30am — Welcome, ANCA presentation, WPNC overview
9:30-10:30am — Guest speaker
10:30-11am — Networking and light refreshments
11-11:30am — Open Space introduction and process
11:30am-12:30pm — Lunch
12:30-1:15pm — Open Space Sessions I
1:15-2pm — Open Space Sessions II
2-2:45pm — Open Space Sessions III
2:45-3pm — Conclusion
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:
Advocacy and civic engagement
Capital campaigns
Database management
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Endowments and investing
Exhibit planning
Marketing and communications
Membership programs
Nature playscape construction
Nature preschool management
Program management
Risk management
Strategic and master planning
Working with a board of directors
Workplace environments
About Warner Park Nature Center
Warner Park Nature Center (WPNC) sits tucked within Nashville’s expansive 3,195-acre Warner Parks system, serving as a vibrant hub for environmental education and outdoor exploration. Owned and operated by Metro Parks of Nashville and supported by Friends of Warner Parks, WPNC was established as the city’s first public nature center in 1973.
Inside the Nature Center, visitors can find a variety of interactive exhibits and information on the ecology of the region, all tailored to encourage you to head outside and explore! Outside, the campus hosts a seasonal organic garden, a Nature Play space for unstructured play, bird-friendly gardens and observation sites, pollinator gardens, and 2 teaching ponds where visitors may glimpse frogs, turtles and salamanders.
WPNC is also deeply involved in programs, community outreach and research, providing environmental education programs for schools, community centers, families and nature enthusiasts of all ages. Signature programs include the BIRD Research program, Environmental Science Field Labs and the Nature Discovery Community Center partnership.
For the 1.5 million annual visitors to Warner Parks, the nature center also serves as a jump-off point for accessing:
- 16+ miles of primitive trails
- 20+ miles of paved pedestrian trails/greenways
- Dual use horse trails, mountain bike trails and scenic driving roads
- 2 golf courses
- 23 picnic shelters
- A dog park, softball and soccer complex, model airplane field, cross country running courses, equestrian center and so much more!
Location
Address: 7311 Highway 100 / Nashville, TN 37221