Calendar
This calendar includes events and trainings for leaders in the nature & environmental learning center field. All scheduled ANCA events are listed here, as well as opportunities from other organizations.
ANCA Peer CONNECTS: Michigan [in-person]
Thursday, November 3, 2022, 9:30am - 3pm
Join your nature center peers for an in-person ANCA Peer CONNECTS meeting at Chippewa Nature Center (CNC) in Midland, Mich. This meeting is for any professional in the nature and environmental learning center community — we welcome both ANCA members and...
ANCA Member CONNECTS: Open Space
Time: 10-11:30am AKT / 11am-12:30pm PT / 12-1:30pm MT / 1-2:30pm CT / 2-3:30pm ET
Have a question or topic you would like to discuss with your nature and environmental learning center peers? Bring it to this ANCA Member CONNECTS meeting. We’ll use an “Open Space” format where any participant can...
ANCA Peer CONNECTS: Residential Environmental Learning Centers (RELCs)
Time: 10-11:30am AKT / 11am-12:30pm PT / 12-1:30pm MT / 1-2:30pm CT / 2-3:30pm ET
Have a question or topic you would like to discuss with your RELC and Outdoor School peers? Bring it to this Peer CONNECTS meeting. We’ll use an “Open Space” format where any participant can suggest a topic ahead of...
ANCA Peer CONNECTS: Ohio [canceled]
We have canceled this ANCA Peer CONNECTS meeting, originally scheduled to be at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes on October 21. If you have questions, please contact ANCA Membership & Programs Coordinator Daniel Auer at
ANCA Peer CONNECTS: Camp Directors Summer Recap
Time: 10-11:30am AKT / 11am-12:30pm PT / 12-1:30pm MT / 1-2:30pm CT / 2-3:30pm ET
Summer Camp 2022 is over! What was successful? What was challenging? Where are the best camp resources? Join us for a discussion with other camp directors and staff to share successes, challenges, and celebrate...
NAAEE Conference & Research Symposium
Held in Tucson, Ariz., the North American Association for Environmental Education's (NAAEE) 2022 conference will focus on the powerful role education can play in creating healthier communities and tackling today’s complex environmental and social issues. We’ll dig into vital topics in our field...
ANCA Peer CONNECTS: Residential Environmental Learning Centers (RELCs)
Time: 10-11:30am AKT / 11am-12:30pm PT / 12-1:30pm MT / 1-2:30pm CT / 2-3:30pm ET
Have a question or topic you would like to discuss with your RELC and Outdoor School peers? Bring it to this Peer CONNECTS meeting. We’ll use an “Open Space” format where any participant can suggest a topic ahead of...
ANCA Member CONNECTS: DEI Book(+) Club — Organizational Change
Time: 10-11am AKT / 11am-12pm PT / 12-1pm MT / 1-2pm CT / 2-3pm ET
Here we'll discuss how we can make organization-level changes around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Resources for this discussion include:
ANCA Summit 2022
If you’re a leader at a nature center or related institution, join us at Irvine Nature Center to connect with other leaders in the field, grow your skills, and energize your organization’s work.
NatStart22: Nature-Based Early Learning Conference
NatStart22, the conference of the Natural Start Alliance, will be July 27-30 in Cincinnati, Ohio. In-person and online options will be available. Learn more.
The Nature-Based Early Learning Conference is organized by the Natural Start Alliance, a project of the North American Association for...
ANCA Member CONNECTS: DEI Book(+) Club — Racism in the Environmental Movement
Time: 10-11am AKT / 11am-12pm PT / 12-1pm MT / 1-2pm CT / 2-3pm ET
From pollution disparities to accessing outdoor spaces and nature, we will examine how the environmental movement has perpetuated systemic racist policies and practices and discuss how we can individually and institutionally...
AHS National Children & Youth Garden Symposium
Do you work with young people in a garden- or nature-based space such as a community garden, nature center, or green schoolyard? The American Horticultural Society's 30th National Children & Youth Garden Symposium will cultivate tomorrow's gardeners by energizing, inspiring, and training today's garden...
ERAFANS Natural Wonder Summit
The Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools (ERAFANS) Natural Wonder Summit is a very special gathering for nature-based educators, administrators, and childcare providers. This three-day event is a joyful way to explore nature-based early childhood education and personal natural...
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Friday, October 21, 2022, 9:30am - 3pm
Join your nature center peers for an in-person ANCA Peer CONNECTS meeting at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes in Cleveland, Ohio. This meeting is for any professional in the nature and environmental learning center community — we welcome both ANCA members and...
ANCA Peer CONNECTS: Michigan [postponed]
We have postponed this ANCA Peer CONNECTS meeting, originally scheduled to be at Chippewa Nature Center on May 19. We will later announce a new date.
If you have questions, please contact ANCA Membership & Programs Coordinator Daniel Auer at
ANCA Member CONNECTS: Is Your Board Perfect?
Time: 10-11:30am AKT / 11am-12:30pm PT / 12-1:30pm MT / 1-2:30pm CT / 2-3:30pm ET
The answer of course is no, but we can all take steps to move the needle toward a more ideal situation. Creating and supporting an active and engaged board takes time — but if done well, it is one of the most...
C&NN Inside Out International Conference
The Children & Nature Network's Inside-Out International Conference is the largest gathering of children and nature advocates in the world. Leaders from a broad range of sectors — all committed to the health and well-being of children and communities — come together to explore best practices for turning...
American Museum Membership Conference 2022
The American Museum Membership Conference (AMMC) is specially planned and organized by membership managers for membership professionals. With a concentrated focus on the world of membership, this unique conference offers the opportunity to exchange innovative ideas and thoughts regarding the...
ANCA Member CONNECTS: DEI Book(+) Club — 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge from Food Solutions
Time: 10-11am AKT / 11am-12pm PT / 12-1pm MT / 1-2pm CT / 2-3pm ET
The 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge is an opportunity to commit to raising your awareness of the systems of racism, changing your understanding, and shifting your behavior. We invite participants to register with Food Solutions New...
ANCA Peer CONNECTS: RELC Food and Facilities
Time: 10-11:30am AKT / 11am-12:30pm PT / 12-1:30pm MT / 1-2:30pm CT / 2-3:30pm ET
By definition, RELCs provide meals and lodging for program participants, but what makes for excellent food and facility experiences? If you manage dining experiences or facilities at an RELC or outdoor school, join...
ANCA Peer CONNECTS: Summer Camp Directors
Time: 10-11:30am AKT / 11am-12:30pm PT / 12-1:30pm MT / 1-2:30pm CT / 2-3:30pm ET
Are you ready for your summer programs? Hiring more challenging than ever before? What changes have you made to ensure the safety of your campers and your staff? Are you finding the resources you need? Join us for an...
ANCA Peer CONNECTS: Summer Camp Directors
Time: 10-11:30am AKT / 11am-12:30pm PT / 12-1:30pm MT / 1-2:30pm CT / 2-3:30pm ET
Are you ready for your summer programs? Hiring more challenging than ever before? What changes have you made to ensure the safety of your campers and your staff? Are you finding the resources you need? Join us for an...
Urban Ecology Institute Intensive Online Training
The Urban Ecology Center offers 20+ years of experience in neighborhood transformation, and is thrilled to share in this online Intensive. In this interactive online course, participants will cover the intersecting themes of transforming kids, parks, cities, and the world. Taking this course will...
ANCA Member CONNECTS: Staff Structure, Recruitment, and Retention
Time: 10-11:30am AKT / 11am-12:30pm PT / 12-1:30pm MT / 1-2:30pm CT / 2-3:30pm ET
Hiring more challenging than ever before? What changes have you made to staff structure, recruitment, and retention? Are you finding the resources you need? From how and where to advertise positions to combating the...
Wildlife Viewing & Nature Tourism Academy
The Wildlife Viewing & Nature Tourism Academy is unique bringing together professionals from state, federal, non-profit, and private organizations to share and discuss real-world examples, case studies, and processes for nature tourism programs and projects throughout North America. The Academy is a...
2022 American Camp Association (ACA) National Conference
The 2022 ACA National Conference is scheduled to be held in person February 8-11, 2022, in Portland, Oregon.
Surviving & Thriving
Join us at the 2022 ACA National Conference in Portland! The past year and a half have been some of the most challenging times we have all faced. Along with the rest of...
ANCA Member CONNECTS — DEI Book(+) Club: Whiteness & Privilege
Time: 10-11am AKT / 11am-12pm PT / 12-1pm MT / 1-2pm CT / 2-3pm ET
We will examine the ways that Whiteness and privilege show up in our own lives both personally and professionally, and discuss how those of us who identify as White can be better allies to our BIPOC friends, family, and colleagues.
The ANCA DEI...
ANCA RELC Summit
This in-person event has been canceled.
We and The Ecology School have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2022 RELC Summit, originally planned for Jan 14-18 at The Ecology School in Saco, Maine, because of the current state of the pandemic. We will offer full refunds to those who had...
Reinventing an Audubon Sanctuary by Using a Native Tapestry
Time: 4:30-8am AKT / 5:30-9am PT / 6:30-10am MT / 7:30-11am CT / 8:30am-12pm ET
Join Audubon for a virtual half-day workshop. Designed for landscape professionals, this online program will focus on landscaping with native plants using the real world example of the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary...
ANCA Member CONNECTS — DEI Book(+) Club: Intro Session
Time: 10-11am AKT / 11am-12pm PT / 12-1pm MT / 1-2pm CT / 2-3pm ET
In this introductory session, we’ll get to know each other and share our goals for the group. We’ll also discuss the schedule and themes for the Book(+) Club, and group up with our “accountability buddies” for the quarter to start making...
National Association for Interpretation (NAI) National Conference
NAI 2021's theme, "The Shifting Sands of Interpretation," addresses not just the distinct, beautiful landscape of Palm Springs, California, but the many changes happening in our profession and the world at large. Sessions will highlight how interpreters are navigating the shifting sands, and what...
ANCA Culture Survey Launch Q&A
Time: 7am AKT / 8am PT / 9am MT / 10am CT / 11am ET
Join Jen Levy, ANCA Executive Director, and August Ball, Founder and CEO of Cream City Conservation & Consulting LLC to learn more about the launch of the ANCA Culture Survey. The survey, set to launch in December, was created in partnership with...
NAAEE Annual Conference and Research Symposium
Environmental education has always about envisioning a better world—and that's true now more than ever. The North American Association for Environmental Education's 50th-Anniversary Annual Conference and Research Symposium will focus on the power of connection: with our colleagues, our friends and...
ASTC Virtual 2021 Annual Conference
The Association of Science Technology Centers Annual Conference is one of the premier annual events for science-engagement professionals and leaders in science and technology centers and museums as well as allied organizations across North America and around the world. Learn more here.
EENC/SEEA 2021 Conference
Join us for the 30th Annual Environmental Educators of North Carolina Conference at Lutheridge Arden, NC. This will also be the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance (SEEA) regional conference. Our 2021 SEEA/EENC conference theme is rEEmerge, honoring new beginnings as we celebrate EENC's 30th...
Course: What Are We Doing Here? Hope and Intention in the Nature Center Profession
Wednesdays, Aug 25–Oct 27, 3-5pm ET
Preregistration is required by Tuesday, August 17, 2021 for this live virtual ten-week series.
This 20-hour course from the Cincinnati Nature Center will give context to your paid or volunteer work at nature centers. Discover helpful resources, discuss strategic...
ANCA Summit 2021
NATURE CENTERS, OUTDOOR SCHOOLS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTERS are in a new phase of challenges, and we need new solutions. Join us for the 2021 ANCA Summit, where we will LOOK AHEAD to the future and RECHARGE & RESET our work as a profession. If you want fresh tools and inspiration for your...
Equity in Conservation and Outdoor Recreation (ECOR) Summit for Action
The Equity in Conservation and Outdoor Recreation (E.C.O.R.) Summit for Action is a one-day event for thought-provoking discussions around the intersection of equity and inclusion in environmental conservation and outdoor recreation movements. The outdoors should be a place of healing and...
Conservation Advocacy 101 Workshop
From the Audubon Naturalist Society:
What’s your environmental issue? Widening the Beltway. Lead in school water pipes. Threats to a park. Contributing to the discussion on new development coming to your neighborhood. Fighting climate change at the local level. Our workshop will cover the...
Member CONNECTS: New Member Orientation
Time: 12-1:15pm AKT / 1-2:15pm PT / 2-3:15pm MT / 3-4:15pm CT / 4-5:15pm ET
Are you a new member (joined in the past 12 months), or could you use a re-introduction to ANCA? Join us for our New Member Orientation. We will provide an introduction to our programs, services, and member benefits, as well as an...
Urban Ecology Institute Intensive
The Urban Ecology Center offers 20+ years of experience in neighborhood transformation, and is thrilled to share in this online Intensive. In this interactive online course, participants will cover the intersecting themes of transforming kids, parks, cities, and the world. Taking this course will...
Member CONNECTS: Nature Center Newsletters
Time: 10-11:30am AKT / 11am-12:30pm PT / 12-1:30pm MT / 1-2:30pm CT / 2-3:30pm ET
Newsletters can be a powerful tool for engagement and marketing, but maximizing their usefulness requires careful planning and strategic work. As newsletters are a primary method of communication, nature centers must...
ANCA Member CONNECTS: Rebuilding Your Workforce
Time: 10-11:30am AKT / 11am-12:30pm PT / 12-1:30pm MT / 1-2:30pm CT / 2-3:30pm ET
Nature center workforces are facing unique challenges as communities continue to change due to the pandemic. Though health restrictions are easing, many organizations are confronting issues such as:
- Significant ...
Peer CONNECTS: Residential Environmental Learning Centers
Time: 12-1:15pm AKT / 1-2:15pm PT / 2-3:15pm MT / 3-4:15pm CT / 4-5:15pm ET
We will CONNECT and host a 75-minute Open Space discussion. We will spend the first few minutes brainstorming topics and use Breakout Rooms to facilitate small group discussions. This is a great opportunity to join your...
Peer CONNECTS: Summer Camp, Are You Ready?
Time: 10-11:30pm AKT / 11am-12:30pm PT / 12-1:30pm MT / 1-2:30pm CT / 2-3:30pm ET
Join your Peers for a discussion all about Summer Camp! Are you moving forward with your Summer programs? Will they be in-person or virtual? What changes are you making to ensure the safety of your campers and your...
Peer CONNECTS: Residential Environmental Learning Centers
Time: 12-1:15pm AKT / 1-2:15pm PT / 2-3:15pm MT / 3-4:15pm CT / 4-5:15pm ET
We will CONNECT and host a 75-minute Open Space discussion. We will spend the first few minutes brainstorming topics and use Breakout Rooms to facilitate small group discussions. This is a great opportunity to join your...
Peer CONNECTS: Summer Camp, Are You Ready?
Time: 10-11:30pm AKT / 11am-12:30pm PT / 12-1:30pm MT / 1-2:30pm CT / 2-3:30pm ET
Registration for this event is full.
Join your Peers for a 90-minute discussion all about Summer Camp! Are you moving forward with your Summer programs? Will they be in-person or virtual? What changes are you making...
Urban Ecology Institute Intensive
The Urban Ecology Center offers 20+ years of experience in neighborhood transformation, and is thrilled to share in this online Intensive. In this interactive online course, participants will cover the intersecting themes of transforming kids, parks, cities, and the world. Taking this course will...
CONNECTS: How to Organize, Engage, and Provide for Volunteers
Time: 10-11:30am AKT / 11am-12:30pm PT / 12-1:30pm MT / 1-2:30pm CT / 2-3:30pm ET
How do I manage volunteers when I am so busy myself, what should the training address for my site, and how do I keep track of their important time?
Due to high demand of a previous CONNECTS on volunteer programs,...
Peer Meeting: Creative Solutions for Challenges at Governmental Centers
Time: 10-11:30am AKT / 11am-12:30pm PT / 12-1:30pm MT / 1-2:30pm CT / 2-3:30pm ET
Registration for this event has closed.
Do you work for a nature center that's part of a city, county, state, federal or local government agency? Would you like to connect with other directors of governmental centers...
Place-Based Symposium
ANCA Organization Member Teton Science Schools is hosting the Place-Based Symposium virtually on April 23rd, 4–7:30pm MST. The Symposium is an annual event through which educators and thought leaders from around the world exchange place-based inspired ideas, learnings and aspirations.
In addition to a...
CONNECTS: Moving Toward A Post-Pandemic World
Time: 10-11:30am AKT / 11am-12:30pm PT / 12-1:30pm MT / 1-2:30pm CT / 2-3:30pm ET
**This CONNECTS is reserved for the top leader at your organization. We invite you to join the conversation and share with other top leaders in a safe and supportive place.
The year ahead brings hope … and...
CONNECTS DEI Learning Group
Time: 10-11:30am AKT / 11am-12:30pm PT / 12-1:30pm MT / 1-2:30pm CT / 2-3:30pm ET
Join us online for the ANCA Member CONNECTS: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Learning Group: "Episode 1".
ANCA’s Vision of Success 2025 identified maintaining best practices that promote diversity, equity, and...
RELC Member CONNECTS
Time: 1pm PT / 2pm MT / 3pm CT / 4pm ET
We will CONNECT and host a 75-minute Open Space discussion. We will spend the first few minutes brainstorming topics and use Breakout Rooms to facilitate small group discussions. This is a great opportunity to join your peers from other residential...
CONNECTS: How to organize, engage, and provide for volunteers
Time: 11am PT / 12pm MT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET
How do I manage volunteers when I am so busy myself, what should the training address for my site, how do I keep track of their important time? Join in a 90-minute Facilitated Discussion about Volunteer Programs and the challenges and success that make...
CONNECTS: Virtual Programming
Time: 1pm PT / 2pm MT / 3pm CT / 4pm ET
Join your ANCA peers for a facilitated discussion on Virtual Programming. As a group we will brainstorm topics for discussion recognizing there are many questions and challenges with virtual programming. We will then use Breakout Rooms to host small group...
Urban Ecology Institute's Spring Intensive
The Urban Ecology Center offers 20+ years of experience in neighborhood transformation, and is thrilled to share in this online Intensive. In this interactive online course, participants will cover the intersecting themes of transforming kids, parks, cities, and the world. Taking this course will...
CONNECTS: Best Practices for Keeping Your Center Safe
Time: 10am PT / 11am MT / 12pm CT / 1pm ET
Risk assessment: these are two words we might want to ignore but shouldn’t. Risk assessment is a strong tool to find hidden hazards at your center and help you implement best practices.
As nature center leaders our jobs include maintaining safe...
Organizational Resilience — Nonprofit Learning Cohort (Series)
Time: 3pm PT / 4pm MT / 5pm CT / 6pm ET
Dates: 2/16, 2/23, 3/02, 3/09, 3/16
Join a group of your peers for this five-session interactive series that will help you to establish a more resilient organization through these challenging times. Why do some organizations recover from change easier and...
Florida Peer Meeting: Summer Day Camp Planning
Time: 1-2pm EST(Additional 15 minutes will be available to those who want to connect with others or for continued questions, comments)
The Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) invites you to join your peers for a meeting designed for those who work in nature and environmental...
Minnesota Peer Meeting: COVID Past-Present-Future
Time: 1:30-3pm CST
The Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) invites you to join your peers for a meeting designed for those who work in nature and environmental learning centers throughout Minnesota. Join your peers for a virtual get-together and a discussion on how organizations...
ANCA RELC Summit (virtual)
The health of our community remains a priority so in response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the 2021 Residential Environmental Learning Center Summit is going virtual.
The RELC Summit will bring together leaders and educators from residential environmental learning centers and outdoor schools...
CONNECTS: Building Meaningful Community Connections
Time: 11am PT / 12pm MT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET
The Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) invites you to join this Member CONNECTS: Building Meaningful Community Connections. This meeting will be 90 minutes, with the last 15 minutes reserved for Open Space discussion.
In this session, we...
Michigan Peer Meeting — Summer Camps in 2021
Time: 1pm EST
The Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) invites you to join your peers for a meeting designed for those who work in centers throughout Michigan.
For many organizations, planning for the 2021 summer camp season means starting with many unknowns and questions due to the...
CONNECTS: Online EE Programs
Time: 11am PT / 12pm MT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET
REGISTRATION IS FULL
How do you bring your environmental education and activities to students in a virtual setting? In this Facilitated Discussion, we will explore the work of researchers Eileen Merritt and Marc Stern of Virginia Tech and Bob Powell of...
ANCA RELC CONNECTS
Time: 1pm PT / 2pm MT / 3pm CT / 4pm ET
ANCA RELC CONNECTS meetings bring together administrators of residential environmental learning centers for virtual discussions on the unique challenges of running residential centers and outdoor schools. Topics address both COVID-19 specific challenges as well...
ANCA New England & New York Peer Meeting — Planning for 2021
Time: 4-5pm EST
The Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) invites you to join your peers for a meeting designed for those who work in centers throughout the Northeast (ME, MA, CT, RI, VT, NH, and NY).
As we come to the close of 2020, join in a facilitated discussion about the last 9...
ANCA Member CONNECTS: Libation Station
Have a drink together, enjoy sharing time with your fellow ANCA friends, make a little music and relax! ANCA Executive Director Jen Levy and Member Lari Jo Edwards, Director of Environmental Education for the Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, have offered to lead us in song and music in this...
Michigan Peer Meeting
1pm ET
As 2020 begins to wind down, you are invited to join your Michigan nature center peers for a virtual get-together and discussion on how organizations have developed innovative solutions and pivoted with existing programs to meet their mission during COVID-19. This meeting will be hosted by...
ANCA CONNECTS: Calling All New Members!
Join ANCA Executive Director Jen Levy, ANCA President John DeFillipo, and new Board members Chad Truxall and Javier de Leon for anANCA New Member CONNECTS!
- Get to know ANCA and what your membership can do for your professional learning and growth.
- Meet other new members and grow your ...
ANCA RELC CONNECTS
ANCA RELC CONNECTS meetings bring together administrators of residential environmental learning centers for virtual discussions on the unique challenges of running residential centers and outdoor schools. Topics address both COVID-19 specific challenges as well as other topics identified by the...
NAI National Conference (Virtual)
This conference will feature two keynote presentations, over 80 educational sessions, a Resource Expo trade show, silent auction, and more. Read more about the conference here.
