Programs

ANCA Annual Summit:
Aug 21-25 at The Ecology School in Saco, Maine

Programs are the core of the ANCA Summit. In the variety of Summit programs, you can connect with peers and experts in a supportive learning environment, while also building a network of professional relationships that will strengthen your work throughout the year.

We're currently developing programming for the Summit. Examples of program content include:

For specific examples of Summit programs, see the 2022 Summit Guide, made for last year's Summit at Irvine Nature Center in Owings Mills, Md.

Submit a Program Proposal

Do you want to lead a Facilitated Discussion or Workshop at the Summit? Learn about submitting a program proposal here.

It's the first conference I have been to where I have gleaned something from every session.

— 2022 Summit Participant

Concurrent Sessions

Facilitated Discussions

Facilitated Discussions are collaborative sessions where all participants contribute to the discussion; the result is a shared dialogue that brings out an abundance of perspectives, possibilities, and renewed energy. Facilitators guide the dialogue but do not give a formal presentation. These discussions are an excellent opportunity to share with your peers, learn new ideas, discuss trends in the profession, and work together to find solutions.

Workshops

Workshops are presentation-based sessions where you can learn in-depth on a single topic, expand your skill set, and engage directly with experts.

Open Space

Open Space sessions provide an opportunity for you to create your own meeting, continue a session that needs more time, or find a group to address an issue that was not presented elsewhere during the Summit. To develop these sessions, participants will gather during the Summit to collectively design the session topics.

It was what I expected and so much more. I found each session I attended to be relevant to my role in my organization as well as full of practical information. I never felt once that what I was learning couldn't be applied to help my center grow and become a better resource for my community.

— 2019 Summit Participant

In the Field

Field Workshops

Field Workshops are your opportunity to visit nature education sites in southern Maine and learn firsthand from their operations. Representatives from the organization will host each workshop and demonstrate how they put their missions into action. Here's where you can engage in-depth on the workshop topic while going beyond the theory, and into practice.

Transportation is provided for Field Workshops.

Field Trips

Field Trips add to your professional development experience while taking advantage of unique opportunities to visit additional sites, spend time with local experts, and interact with peers.