Programs

Landscape Analysis of Environmental Education in the Southeast

The Southeast Environmental Education Association conducted an analysis of the existing and desired environmental education happening in the Southeast. We surveyed EE Providers and school teachers and administrators. This session will be an opportunity to share the results of the analysis, then open space for discussion about ways to move forward and to receive more feedback.

FACILITATORS
Ellen Ward, Board Member & Landscape Analysis Coordinator, Tennessee Environmental Education Association
Jennie McGuigan, Education Director at Ijams Nature Center

Forest Schools 201: Financials and Personnel Policies

So you've been running a forest school for a while. How do you determine financial aid? What do teacher contracts and PTO look like compared to others in your organization? Do employee dependents get tuition discounts or priority admission? How do you retain good teachers? Let's talk about forest school financials and policies.

FACILITATORS
Rebecca Minnick, Executive Director of Louisville Nature Center
Naomi Heindel, Executive Director of North Branch Nature Center

Climate Change, Climate Resilience, and Nature Centers

How are our nature centers already affected by climate change? How might our centers be affected by climate change in the future? How can nature centers increase our communities' and landscapes' climate resilience? What do we need as we do that work?

After a summer of flooding and wildfire smoke in 2023, staff at North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier, Vermont have begun exploring these questions, together with local partners. From lost revenue due to canceled programs, to changes in how and when participants sign up for outdoor activities, to the need for staff support, to the importance of land management and stewardship, to the role that nature-based education plays in helping kids process environmental change of this magnitude — there's no doubt that climate change is impacting us every day, and that we, as nature centers, have a critical role to play in climate resilience.

Come join the conversation and add your own perspectives and climate change realities so that we can take this important topic to the next level.

FACILITATOR
Naomi Heindel, Executive Director of North Branch Nature Center
Ken Benton, Director of Education at North Branch Nature Center

From Recreationist to Activist: Helping our Constituents Protect What They Love

Over the past year, I've been experimenting with ways to guide volunteers and members of our nature center to see themselves as more than recreationists, but as catalysts of change for conservation impact. I've been working on a new program that leverages research in conservation psychology and behavior change theory to help accomplish this. If successful, I think it has implications for all nature centers. The gist is that to protect nature, we must connect with one another. I'd love to get input from others as I design the prototype to make sure it will be useful to everyone.

FACILITATOR
Connie O’Connor, Director of Applied Learning at Cincinnati Nature Center

Nature Play: The Ins, the Outs, the Ups, and the Downs

Let’s discuss all things nature play. In this session we’ll address questions like: 

• How do we create nature play landscapes that are safe while also encouraging developmentally appropriate risk-taking?
• What are the best strategies to work with community partners (organizations, parents/guardians, teachers, school administrators) who may not believe that play is an integral part of learning, or don't understand the benefits of nature play specifically?
• How can we work to integrate nature play into centers, programming, and partnerships with other organizations?

We have a robust Nature PlaySpace at my site and often engage in these types of conversations or thought dialogues. I'd love to help provide space so that expertise from across centers can be collated in one space on this topic.

FACILITATOR
Emma Blackford, Head of Prairie Ridge Ecostation, part of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Shared Learning for New Directors

Using the metaphor of driving a car, participants will receive one or more statements about the metaphor, then interpret/share nuggets of real experience and learning to that statement. For example: 

The Driver must always use a turn signal before switching lanes. Interpret and apply that statement to directing a nature center or outdoor school.

This is a vintage program as relevant today as it was 32 years ago when first offered.

FACILITATOR
Corky McReynolds, Retired

Ready to Launch: Preparing for a Capital Campaign

Capital campaigns are intense efforts for any organization as you strive to raise funds to build capacity, facilities, and infrastructure. What does it take for your center to launch a successful capital campaign? Let’s discuss the pre-work that’s needed for success, what it takes to start a campaign, and share what worked well for your project.

FACILITATORS
Dennis Pilaske, Executive Director of Chippewa Nature Center
Jenn Kirts, Director of Programs at Chippewa Nature Center

Building a Fundraising Program

Most organizations start fundraising when they need money, sometimes with little thought on how to build a fundraising team that will sustain them into the future. In this facilitated discussion we will share what's working for our organizations, what's not, and how we might build into the future.

FACILITATOR
James Misner, Founder/Owner of The Kipos Group

Leading Change in Your Nature Center

Nature and Visitor Center Leaders fill multiple roles, simultaneously managing facilities, staff teams, and operations along with public program development and visitor experience. The need for change arises when one (or multiple) of these elements falls out of sync. This presentation will encourage professionals to learn how to navigate the waters of change by using leadership development skills and empirical reasoning to identify and understand problems and discover effective strategies for achieving excellence. Learn tips on charting the course of change without getting overwhelmed and discover how to apply a “Midas touch” to your vision to achieve buy-in among staff and stakeholders.

Workshop objectives include:

• Learn how to use planning & diagnostic tools such as fishbone diagrams, pareto analysis, and value stream mapping to identify where problems and gaps exist within your center’s operations. 
• Work towards the goal of organizational excellence by focusing on improving staffing and operational processes. 
• Demystify the inherent fear of change: use effective communication and motivation to build a vision that inspires buy-in among staff and stakeholders. 
• Review the case study of Watershed Stewardship Center in Cleveland Metroparks as an example of demonstrated positive change. 
• Hone your skills as a leader to drive innovation within the field of nature center professionals.

PRESENTER

Bethany Majeski, Center Manager, Cleveland Metroparks

Bethany has worked as a naturalist and manager at Cleveland Metroparks for 17 years and is trained in the field of organizational leadership. Bethany is passionate about connecting people to the planet and believes in the power of nature centers as conduits for discovery and adventure that help people fall in love with the outdoors. Following the philosophy that effective social and operational processes are the keys to organizational excellence, Bethany focuses on building workplaces that are motivated, synergistic, and thriving.

Environmental Courage: The Emerging New Intelligence Imperative to Our Survival

Our changing environment demands our attention. Increased incidence and severity of drought, wildfires, hurricanes, and floods dominate headlines and kill or displace thousands. The insidious effects of the consistently rising average annual temperatures may be our greatest threat, but scariest of all may be the simple fact that we do not fully understand how our everyday lives will be changing. A new intelligence, Environmental Courage or the capacity to interpret, filter, digest and accept the changes occurring in our natural world must be developed within our children and youth and strengthened within our society in general.

PRESENTER

Vincent LaFontan, Executive Director of Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust

Vincent D. LaFontan, MHA, a nationally recognized non-profit leader and consultant to youth-serving organizations, for twenty-five years. Currently, he is the Executive Director of Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust, Woodbury, Connecticut; he is also the former Board President of the Connecticut After School Network; and former Vice Chair of the National AfterSchool Association's Board of Directors in Washington, D.C. Vince was an invited presenter at the World Forum in Vancouver, Canada, April 2024 where he presented on the topic of Environmental Courage.

Mapping a Regenerative Future: Steps for Planning a Sustainable Center

Nature and environmental education centers each have their own unique history and community, yet planning for the future of these places can start with several similar foundational considerations. Whether master planning for a new or expanded center, a building addition or renovation, or preserving a historic building, there is a scalable path to a regenerative future for your center.

This session will focus on important steps during the planning process and will feature lessons learned through planning at a range of scales and budgets. Participants will learn:

• Where to start and how to prioritize planning efforts
• How to define aspirational (and realistic) sustainable design goals 
• Approaches to establishing a realistic budget to achieve the vision 
• Approaches to facilitating community outreach and engagement

Case studies will include Hoyt Arboretum and Leach Botanical Garden in Portland, Oregon, and Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont in Townsend, Tennessee.

PRESENTERS

Will Ives, Principal of Hennebery Eddy Architects
Erica Thompson, Associate Principal of Hennebery Eddy Architects

Will Ives, AIA, is a leader in sustainable design with a focus on academic, community, and nature-based projects. Will has led design and planning for multiple nature centers and outdoor schools and dozens of state and national parks projects, including projects seeking living building challenge certification. He is a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC) through the Passive House Institute US and holds Living Future Accreditation (LFA) through the International Living Future Institute; he is a principal based in Hennebery Eddy’s Bozeman, Montana office.

Erica Thompson, AIA, prioritizes sustainable design, community engagement, and occupant health and wellness through her project work. She is actively engaged in planning projects for multiple nature centers and serves her community as an advocate for land use policy, climate solutions, and social equity. Erica is an associate principal at Hennebery Eddy Architects in Portland, Oregon, where she leads the firm’s Net-Positive committee, with a focus on implementing sustainable design solutions at all project scales.

Sacred Soil Sustained: Plan Big, Tread Lightly

In 1941, just four years after the formation of the organization, Jens Jensen wrote to approximately 200 members, “The Ridges Sanctuary is passing through its first crisis, that of making its true purpose understood.” In 2022, The Ridges Sanctuary began the first comprehensive master plan in its 85-year history to explore that very same question — what is the purpose of The Ridges? During this workshop we will dive deeper into the comprehensive planning process as well as highlight the successes, challenges and celebrations of a process that has laid a foundation for an inspiring path ahead.

Workshop objectives include:

• The why and the how? Why was a comprehensive master plan necessary for The Ridges Sanctuary and what were some of the key strategies utilized to make it happen. We will dive into establishing the deliverables of our plan, the design firm selection process, building a strong relationship with SmithGroup, our design firm, engaging a board of directors, opening ourselves up for public engagement, and staff participation. We will highlight what would we do again, and what would we do differently. 
• Mission Alignment. How did this process help us further define our mission and rebalance our focus on Preservation, Education and Research. We will also focus on how research was elevated through this process and the relationships built with university partners. Additionally, we will share our experience updating our mission and vision statements, the challenges we faced and how we responded. 
• Future Action and Implementation. How did we develop a plan that is actionable and not a pretty shelf decoration? We will focus on the strategies built into the planning process, and most importantly established upon completion. We will discuss how we went from a 15-20 year plan to an executable plan with a Phase 0, Phase 1a and b, and Phase 2 approach. We will also discuss what is currently underway and the community’s response to our early phasing. Additionally, while we plan to discuss what worked well and what we would do differently throughout, we will open the floor to the group to discuss shared experiences and open dialogue for the betterment of the group. 

PRESENTER

Katie Krouse, Executive Director of The Ridges Sanctuary

Katie Krouse is the Executive Director of The Ridges Sanctuary, having served the organization as director for one year. Prior to her current role, Katie served the organization for over 9 years in a number of capacities — summer naturalist, program coordinator, director of operations, and assistant director. Just before assuming the role of executive director, The Ridges established a comprehensive master plan, a process in which Katie was intimately involved. Together, personal growth within the organization and a clear path ahead have strengthened Katie’s leadership and vision for the future.

Wild Pedagogies: Intentionally Bringing the More-than-Human into Nature Centre Programming

Wild Pedagogies aims to renegotiate what it means to be human in relationship with the world by engaging in deep and transformational change through the use of educational practices.

In this Workshop we will:

• Introduce participants into the 6 touchstones that Wild Pedagogies is built upon
• Present the key concepts of Wild Pedagogies in a direct experiential and participatory format
• Through workshop activity and dialogue, delve into the potential for how Wild Pedagogies provide a pathway for nature centers to address the climate crisis and biodiversity collapse 
• Explore Wild Pedagogies as a means to bring about praxis in nature center programming 

PRESENTERS

Victor Elderton, Sessional Instructor & PhD Student at Simon Fraser University / UBC Faculty Associate

For over 40 years I have been an educator with a passionate and purposeful career focussed on place-conscious and nature-based experiential learning. Through my journey I have held leadership positions as the principal Co-administer at NV Outdoor School (aka. Cheakamus Centre), founding member of Environmental Educators of BC which led to C2C and founding director of the capacity building charitable not-for-profit Pacific Foundation for Understanding Nature Society (PacFUNS). I am also honoured to be a PICS Fellow working on re-writing the BC Education - Environmental Learning & Experience document and member of the Wild Pedagogies research consortium. At present as a sessional instructor and mentor of pre-service and graduate teacher-students my efforts are under the umbrella of SFU and UBC. As a PhD student at SFU my research focuses on how place and nature-based experiential education informs our learning and fundamental understandings, as well as, how that learning helps form the people we become.

Megan Tucker

Megan Tucker is a PhD student of philosophy of education in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University. She is a certified primary/junior educator who completed her Masters degree with a focus on environmental education. Megan’s doctoral scholarship and research span the disciplines of education, philosophy, and human-animal studies and take up questions of animal voice, including Intuitive Interspecies Communication as influencing ecological education. Megan is particularly interested in the use of phenomenology to explore interspecies interactions, and what can be gleaned about humans, and more-than-humans, and the potential of us together.

Building the Next Generation of Climate Leaders

Headquartered at the 300 year old, 232-acre Mt. Pleasant farmstead, the Howard County Conservancy (HCC) is a local, non-profit environmental education center founded over 30 years ago. In 2020, HCC launched the Youth Climate Institute (YCI), a youth-led, national certification program for high school students.

By participating in the program, students learn the fundamentals of climate science, join an action team focused on positive solutions in their communities, and enhance their college and career readiness. During a student’s second year, they can earn an honors designation by working closely with a community partner on a climate change capstone project that addresses a specific community need.

Presenters from HCC will discuss the founding of the program and the benefits of this national certification program to chapters. After this session, participants will know how to start their own chapter of the Youth Climate Institute, a high school extracurricular program focused on climate change action.

In this Workshop, participants will experience hands-on climate science activities that are provided as part of the YCI learning packages. Through this experience participants will learn best practices for mentoring high school students and inspiring youth action on climate issues.

PRESENTERS

Meg Boyd, Executive Director of the Howard County Conservancy

Ann Strozyk, Howard County Public Schools Environmental Educator

Lapsed Donors: How to Win Back and Grow

Every piece of available data says the same thing: nonprofits have a significant lapsed donor problem.

You may have heard that you have everything you need in your donor file, but this may no longer be true. Why? Most of our donors are lapsing. The national average has stayed the same for years, with 55-60% of donors lapsing each year.

These are donors you worked hard to find, cultivate and steward — and when a donor leaves, you have to repeat all that work. More importantly, it means you are depressing your ROI. Your revenue is suffering. 

It does not have to be this way! Donor retention is one of the main indicators of successful fundraising. In one number you can tell if there is health or rot in a fundraising program. But your donor retention IS something you can influence!

If your donor retention rate is in the tanks, don’t fret. You can fix it. It will take time and hard work. Fixing it will be cheaper, and will have a higher ROI than finding new donors that replace the ones you’ve lost.

If you want to learn how to keep your donors from lapsing and how to win them back if they have—this is for you.

PRESENTER

James Misner, Founder/Owner of The Kipos Group

James Misner is the Founder and Owner of The Kipos Group. With over 20 years of experience as an executive leader, James has a proven track record of building successful teams that have driven tens of millions in revenue growth. Additionally, he has helped non-profit organizations achieve sustainable growth and build stronger relationships with donors. James is a gifted coach and leader who cares deeply for his clients and their teams. He brings clarity and confidence to those he works with, providing guidance and support as they navigate the challenges of building a revenue engine. His expertise in strategy, culture, and leadership has made him an industry-leading consultant for non-profit organizations looking to grow and thrive.

125,000 Pinned Insects on the Move and Not One Leg Lost!

Participants will learn skills centered around the planning and execution of a once-in-a-career keystone project. This session will deepen the learning of participants by sharing best leadership and management practices centered around community outreach, partnerships, facility and fiscal planning, and risk management strategies. Participants will also learn about working with specialized contractors who do not normally work with museums and conservation-based land management entities. Project leaders will gain insight into human resources and stress management in the midst of a major, capital-intensive, keystone project.

PRESENTER

Heather Stehle, Executive Director of Crane Hollow Preserve

Heather Stehle is the Executive Director and Preserve Manager at Crane Hollow Preserve in The Hocking Hillls of Southeast Ohio. She has served in this position since 2007. Prior to working at Crane Hollow, Heather was a park ranger at Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, adjunct faculty in the Parks and Recreation Management department at Western Carolina University, and an environmental educator at Nature’s Classroom, Ohio FFA Camp Muskingum. When she’s not wrangling QuickBooks reports and invasive species, Heather enjoys hiking and camping with her two boys.

Are We Environmental Educators or Environmental Interpreters?

In this workshop, we will explore the history of the two major "schools of thought" around connecting people to nature. Participants will learn the historical origins of environmental education and environmental interpretation, and will examine how these two approaches apply to their organization.

The purpose of this session is both to deepen understanding of the field, but also provide a safe space to reflect on our own organization's attachments and philosophical style when it comes to teaching and sharing our messages.

Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of our shared approaches and have a better understanding of where they can gain additional experience and expertise should their educational goals evolve. Participants will be able to identify the core differences in these approaches and know when each approach is most suitable and effective for their goals.

PRESENTER

Anne Horne, Public Engagement Manager at the Cincinnati Nature Center

Anne Horne is the Public Engagement Manager at the Cincinnati Nature Center, where she oversees many public programs, summer camp, the internship program, and the nature playscape. She has 20 years of experience in both environmental education and environmental interpretation, and loves connecting people with their nature.

Leveraging Media in Outdoor Education: Informing, Inspiring, and Connecting

We will dive deep into the pivotal role that media plays in shaping perceptions and fostering connections with our natural world. In today's society, where 62.6% of the world's population is actively engaged on social media, media has become the primary conduit through which information flows. It's not just a tool; the use of media is vital in sharing educational messages of nature, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.

PRESENTERS

Dana Lewis, Director of Media at NorthBay Education
Rick Garber, Director of Education at NorthBay Education

Dana Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Morgan State University, leveraging her background in film and television to craft educational and character-building content. As the head of NorthBay's media team, Dana spearheads the development and production of projects showcased on stage, the web, and through videos and photography. Beyond her professional role, Dana serves as a media consultant for non profit organizations and entrepreneurs, driven by her fervent dedication to utilizing media for uplifting and empowering individuals.

Rick Garber has a B.S. in Recreation and Parks and more than 25 years of experience developing, growing and delivering outdoor education programs. Rick started his career at George Mason University, where he facilitated team development and backcountry adventures for at-risk youth. Rick has since worked in a variety of roles and settings, teaching at Stone Mountain School, leading wilderness therapy programs in the mountains of North Carolina and coordinating youth alternative and volunteer programs with Baltimore City Recreation and Parks. Rick came to NorthBay in 2007 as an educator, has served as Dean of Students and now as Director of Education. When not at NorthBay, you will likely find Rick Sailing the Chesapeake with his wife Salena and two children, Gideon and Juniper.

Finding Common Ground: Integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the Outset of the Design Process

This workshop teaches participants how to incorporate diverse perspectives early in the design process. Whether constructing a new nature center or developing a strategic plan for the next 5-10 years, Mike will facilitate an engaging workshop that demonstrates how a “discovery session” can drive success by aligning with each nature center's goals and mission.

PRESENTERS

Mike Fraze, Principal/Partner at Studio Outside

Mike Fraze is one of the founding partners at Studio Outside, and has been working in the realm of environmental education, parks, youth camps, and nature centers for over 25 years. Having worked with multiple Audubon, public agency, and private nature center organizations, his firms work has been nationally recognized for their ability to delicately weave together children and adults within nature. Mike sees their work as the backdrop, not the show, creating the stage for memorable experiences and interactions to occur. Mike has spoken at several national conferences throughout the country.

Expand your Reach! YouTube Virtual Field Trips 101

One good thing came out of the pandemic, and that is that we learned the power of virtual education. A successful series of YouTube field trip and/or educational videos can expand community involvement, increase in-person visitation , promote upcoming events, and grow donors and donations. Unlike most social media, YouTube videos never disappear. They can live on your website creating a valuable “evergreen” educational resource for years to come.

PRESENTER

Sparky Stensaas, Executive Director of Friends of Sax-Zim Bog

Sparky Stensaas is the founder and executive director of Friends of Sax-Zim Bog, which has purchased & preserved over 25,000 acres of bog creating a Forever Home for future generations of birds and birders. The Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center & Lois King Education Center host thousands of visitors each winter and summer. FOSZB has created over 60 educational YouTube videos in three series that have garnered nearly 150,000 views. A birder since age 14, Sparky is also a naturalist, publisher of field guides, wildlife photographer/videographer and now YouTuber. He is the author of 6 books on the natural history of the North Woods. Sparky, his wife, Bridget, and two sons, Birk and Bjorn, make their home under the big pines in the Nemadji Valley in northern Minnesota.

We've Been There Before: Fostering Family Belonging in Cultural and Natural Spaces

Explore how the Eco-Artists program strengthens a sense of belonging for families in Detroit's cultural institutions and natural spaces. Uncover effective strategies, success stories, and lessons learned. Acquire practical skills for building community partnerships and enhancing family visits. Understand the significance of familiarity with the quote: "Look! We've been there before, I know that place." Learn why starting locally is essential for trust and enthusiasm in recurring programs.

This workshop will cover best practices, success stories, and lessons learned. The impact of unique approaches on early childhood education and family engagement through co-designing multigenerational learning experiences. Participants will engage in breakout sessions to discuss their experiences working with community groups to share barriers they’ve overcome, learn how to center family learning in their work. Leave with practical skills and insights to enhance your toolkit and better serve your community.

PRESENTER

Ryan Vance, Nature Center Supervisor at the Detroit Zoological Society

Ryan Vance is the Supervisor of the Belle Isle Nature Center, part of the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS). Since taking on this newly created role in May 2022, Ryan has been responsible for leading the center’s educators, guest engagement staff, and volunteers to enhance the DZS mission: creating meaningful connections between people, animals, and the natural world so all can thrive. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys spending his time with his husband and their dogs, gatherings with friends and family, and relaxing outside."

Digging Up the Dirt: A Behind-the-Scenes Exploration of the Memphis Botanic Garden

Embark on an exclusive journey with the Memphis Botanic Garden, exploring the intricate workings and flourishing life within our 96-acre sanctuary nestled in the heart of Memphis.

This insiders walking tour will introduce three departments and staff that both allow the Garden to thrive and support our mission: education, events and horticulture. Each tour will last 45 minutes with the option to attend all three or choose one that interests you.

The three tours are:

• The education tour will explore our offerings such as homeschool days, field trips, adult education programming, and our large children’s area, My Big Backyard. 
• The events tour will examine how concerts, weddings, and festivals generate revenue to support our nonprofit.
• The horticulture tour will look at renovating spaces within our urban setting, our current practices, and support they generate through classes and plant sales. 

Protecting Childhood with Access to Nature: A Case Study of Lichterman’s Discovery Forest

Lichterman Nature Center has put in years of planning, design, and construction work to support their commitment to getting kids into nature in a way that fosters free play and child-led exploration. 

This work has resulted in the Discovery Forest, an interactive and unstructured children’s play area created with natural materials, water, and objects that shape the local landscape. The Discovery Forest provides a winding trail through the existing woodland and creates a variety of different play and exploration zones along the trail.

Learning Landscapes Design (LLD) is a design firm that creates meaningful outdoor spaces for children to deeply connect to nature across the US, and helped steer the site improvements at Lichterman’s Discovery Forest. LLD will lead this Field Workshop, in which participants will explore:

• The benefits of nature play and connection, and how we design to achieve those benefits
• Place-based design, and how we let the Lichterman Nature Center goals and vision as well as the site conditions inspire and shape the design.
• ADA and inclusion in design for the Children’s Forest at Lichterman.
• National play safety guidelines, highlighting how and when they apply. 
• Maintenance of nature play spaces.

We will close with a reflection on how Lichterman’s Discovery Forest has had an impact on membership, visitor numbers, and programming at Lichterman. 

Learning Objectives: 

• Participants will leave with 3 statistics about the value of nature connection for young people. Be able to use these as leverage to support program and site improvements that increase their experience and entice more families to visit. 
• Participants will understand how the Lichterman goals, values and site conditions laid the framework that shaped the improvements.
• Participants will leave with 5 good facts and design translations for inclusive design for children in nature.
• Participants will know the basics of how and when to apply play safety guidelines. They will also have a basic understanding of where to go for help if they begin to work up against one of these ‘gray areas’ in play safety. 
• Participants will understand the level of maintenance needed and tasks involved in maintenance at the Discovery Forest case study.

PRESENTERS
Michelle Mathis RLA, Principal Designer
Kerry White RLA, Project Manager

Shelby Farms Park: A Thriving Place for People & Nature

Once the site of the Shelby County Penal Farm, Shelby Farms Park is now one of America's largest urban parks and has been transformed into a vibrant, beloved public space thanks to community collaboration and a bold vision. This Field Workshop will feature a golf cart tour of some of the amazing amenities and award-winning architecture.

The tour will feature:

• The First Horizon Foundation Visitor Center and FedEx Event Center (LEED certified buildings designed by Marlon Blackwell)
• The Promenade trail around Hyde Lake, including meadows, wetlands and cobble beaches
• The Woodland Discovery Playground (a SITES certified space)
• The Chickasaw Trail, including the Park's iconic buffalo herd, upland meadows, several lakes and cross country course. 

Learning objectives include:

• Explore a conservancy model of public-private partnership to develop world class public spaces
• Learn about the business and revenue generation plan required to operate the Park
• Learn about how Shelby Farms Park Conservancy balances needs for visitors and ecosystems in a large urban park
• Explore challenges in management of vast green spaces with high usage

PRESENTERS
Jen Andrews, CEO
Dewayne Williams, Director of Park Operations
Ben Nemenoff, Director of Development

“Uncharitable” Documentary and Discussion

UnCharitable is a powerful documentary exposing the dark side of philanthropy and the need for radical change in charitable practices. After three incredibly successful U.S. charitable campaigns were attacked by charity watchdogs, destroying lives and cutting off precious resources, many of the top influencers in the field knew something had to be done to overhaul the nonprofit sector.

At the forefront of this movement is Dan Pallotta, a renowned figure whose groundbreaking TED Talk has galvanized leading philanthropists and changemakers. Directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, this feature-length documentary unveils the hidden aspects of philanthropy and introduces a revolutionary approach to giving. Uncharitable is a compelling call to action, Demanding that charities be liberated from traditional constraints, enabling them to truly transform the world.

Uncharitable is driven by the deeply personal narratives of Dan Pallotta, Steve Nardizzi, Dorri McWhorter, Scott Harrison, Edward Norton, Darren Walker, and other influential figures in philanthropy. Their stories form the backbone of this emotional journey, one that compels, persuades, and inspires its audience to reevaluate their perspectives on giving.

No topic is more crucial and timely as we confront an increasingly unstable world with the growing revelation that we are all interconnected and that our fate lies in how much we are willing to invest in positive change.

In this Field Workshop, we will watch the movie and then hold a facilitated discussion to recap, share takeaways, and set goals for the future.

Wolf River Conservancy: Keeping the Mission First

The Wolf River Conservancy is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the Wolf River and its watershed as a sustainable natural resource.

Carving a green passage through roughly 100 miles of forests, fields, and communities, the Wolf River’s upper reaches are lush wetlands of unmatched natural beauty that help to recharge the drinking water aquifer. Its lower stretches contain refuges of floodplain forest in the heart of Memphis. The Wolf River is vitally important, protecting community drinking water and providing outstanding recreational and educational opportunities.

This Field Workshop will cover the importance of leading with a mission-based mindset. Together we’ll explore how the Wolf River Conservancy stays focused on its mission of conservation while scaling impact in the community. 

As part of this workshop, we’ll visit the Wolf River Greenway, a corridor of protected green space along the Wolf River that includes a paved pathway for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Built in phases, this 12-foot-wide pathway, the Wolf River Greenway trail, will eventually extend a total of 26 miles to connect over 22 neighborhoods all the way from the north end of Mud Island in downtown Memphis, through the neighborhoods of north central Memphis, to Shelby Farms Park and then to the cities of Germantown and Collierville. The project is a public/private partnership between the Wolf River Conservancy, Memphis Parks, and Shelby County.

PRESENTERS
Erik Houston, Executive Director
Cathy Justis, Director of Education

Animal Exhibits & Care: AWA Licensure, Regulations, and Standards for Birds

The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations have recently been updated to include birds. A representative from USDA Animal Care will give an overview of these recent changes, and explain the licensing and registration requirements for facilities that conduct regulated activities with birds. 

This presentation will also review the USDA regulations pertaining to birds including their housing, feeding, veterinary care, and recordkeeping requirements. 

Through this Field Workshop, participants will:

• Discover if their facility needs an AWA license to exhibit live animals
• Learn how to apply for an AWA license
• Understand the prelicensing process
• Learn about the new AWA welfare standards for birds

If your organization exhibits birds — or mammals — you don’t want to miss this!

This Field Workshop will take place at Lichterman Nature Center.

PRESENTERS
Dr. Susanne Brunkhorst, Veterinary Medical Officer, USDA-APHIS-Animal Care
Mykl Wallrath, Executive Director, Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation
Kate Friedman, Education Director, Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation

The Dixon Gallery and Gardens: Volunteer Empowerment and GPS Mapping

The Dixon Gallery and Gardens is a both a fine art museum and a public garden that includes formal spaces, woodland tracts, and cutting gardens. Comprising more than 2,000 objects, the Dixon’s art collection includes a wide variety of French and American Impressionist paintings, as well as significant holdings of German and English porcelain. The Dixon is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association and Botanical Gardens Conservation International.

In this Field Workshop we’ll explore two unique aspects of the Dixon’s operations: volunteer empowerment and GPS mapping.

Volunteers are an essential part of the Dixon, playing major roles in maintaining the gardens and facilitating the organization’s annual plant sale. Here we’ll share how the Dixon has built reliable and highly competent volunteer operations, and provide ideas for how you might bolster your own organization’s volunteer program.

We’ll also share our recent project of mapping the plants in our collection. Participants will see how we used GPS mapping to develop an accurate and informative map of our gardens, and explore how these techniques might be used in comparable ways.

PRESENTERS
Dale Skaggs, Director of Horticulture
Kyle McLane, Manager of Grounds Horticulture
Caroline Brown, Chair of the Annual Dixon Plant Sale

Frayser Community Urban Garden: Grow With Community Partners

Discover tranquility and growth at the Frayser Community Urban Garden, nestled within the heart of the Frayser community in Memphis. Here, amidst the bustling city, lies a serene oasis where nature thrives and community bonds are cultivated.

Our garden serves as a vibrant hub for residents to connect, learn, and nourish both body and soul. From verdant plots bursting with a diverse array of fruits and vegetables to inviting gathering spaces designed for reflection and camaraderie, every corner of our garden invites you to experience the beauty of urban agriculture.

Step into a world where the rhythm of growth sets the pace, where neighbors become friends, and where the simple act of tending to the earth fosters a sense of belonging and purpose. Whether you're a seasoned gardener, a curious novice, or simply seeking a moment of respite from the demands of daily life, the Frayser Community Urban Garden welcomes you with open arms.

The Frayser Community Urban Garden continues to grow with the support from Frayser residents, community partners, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, the City of Memphis, and Memphis Parks. 

Join us in sowing the seeds of a healthier, more connected community, and witness the power of nature to transform lives right here in Frayser.

PRESENTERS
Camille James, Garden Manager 
Karen King, Garden Council 
Tiffany Clay, Garden Council 
Peggy Jefferson, Garden Council
Devin Kirkland, Garden Council & Resident Artist 

Native Plant Propagation: Merging Mission and Revenue Generation

MoSH-Lichterman Nature Center propagates over 7,500 plants representing over 150 native species every year using environmentally sustainable horticultural practices in 100% recycled growing containers. These plants are used on the grounds, in programs, and sold to the public from April through November. The two-day kickoff sale in April is MoSH's second-largest volunteer-driven fundraiser.

This Field Workshop offers a hands-on experience, starting in the Plant Propagation Center with an overview of Lichterman's plant activities and an introduction to the propagation techniques used. This will be followed by a guided tour of the greenhouse and the adjacent growing terraces, where you can see the plants in their various stages of growth.

PRESENTER
Jessie Munson, Plant Activities Coordinator at Lichterman Nature Center

Protecting Childhood with Access to Nature: A Case Study of Lichterman’s Discovery Forest

Lichterman Nature Center has put in years of planning, design, and construction work to support their commitment to getting kids into nature in a way that fosters free play and child-led exploration. 

This work has resulted in the Discovery Forest, an interactive and unstructured children’s play area created with natural materials, water, and objects that shape the local landscape. The Discovery Forest provides a winding trail through the existing woodland and creates a variety of different play and exploration zones along the trail.

Learning Landscapes Design (LLD) is a design firm that creates meaningful outdoor spaces for children to deeply connect to nature across the US, and helped steer the site improvements at Lichterman’s Discovery Forest. LLD will lead this Field Workshop, in which participants will explore:

• The benefits of nature play and connection, and how we design to achieve those benefits
• Place-based design, and how we let the Lichterman Nature Center goals and vision as well as the site conditions inspire and shape the design.
• ADA and inclusion in design for the Children’s Forest at Lichterman.
• National play safety guidelines, highlighting how and when they apply. 
• Maintenance of nature play spaces.

We will close with a reflection on how Lichterman’s Discovery Forest has had an impact on membership, visitor numbers, and programming at Lichterman. 

Learning Objectives: 

• Participants will leave with 3 statistics about the value of nature connection for young people. Be able to use these as leverage to support program and site improvements that increase their experience and entice more families to visit. 
• Participants will understand how the Lichterman goals, values and site conditions laid the framework that shaped the improvements.
• Participants will leave with 5 good facts and design translations for inclusive design for children in nature.
• Participants will know the basics of how and when to apply play safety guidelines. They will also have a basic understanding of where to go for help if they begin to work up against one of these ‘gray areas’ in play safety. 
• Participants will understand the level of maintenance needed and tasks involved in maintenance at the Discovery Forest case study.

PRESENTERS
Michelle Mathis RLA, Principal Designer
Kerry White RLA, Project Manager

Shared Leadership: Building a Collaborative Team

Organizational design based around teams is an excellent way to promote shared leadership and empowerment in your organization. But what does a highly effective and collaborative team look like? How do you build it and foster its growth? What are some tools you can use to promote collaboration in your work teams? Come hear some examples and bring your own success stories and struggles to this workshop.

Workshop objectives include:

• Understand the strengths and weaknesses of various organizational structures. 
• Identify the hallmarks of a highly collaborative and effective team. 
• Discuss strategies for hiring, building, and fostering a collaborative team in your department or organization.

This Field Workshop will take place at Lichterman Nature Center.

PRESENTER
Michael Larson, Executive Director of the Blue Lotus Center

Civil Rights Museum

Noted as one of the nation's premier heritage and cultural museums, the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, is steadfast in its mission to share the culture and lessons from the American Civil Rights Movement and explore how this significant era continues to shape equality and freedom globally.

Established in 1991, the National Civil Rights Museum is located at the former Lorraine Motel, where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Through interactive exhibits, historic collections, dynamic speakers and special events, the museum offers visitors a chance to walk through history and learn more about a tumultuous and inspiring period of change.

Join us for a guided tour of the museum. After the tour, a staff member will give an hour-long debrief, providing a comprehensive overview of the key learnings from the tour and their relevance to our work. After the presentation, you are welcome to explore downtown Memphis and grab a bite to eat. 

Cost: $70 per person

This Field Trip will depart the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Memphis at 9am and return at 2pm. Driving time to the museum is under 30 minutes. Lunch is independent — Memphis is renowned for its restaurants, so we encourage you to dine at one of the many establishments in the city.

Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation

Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. (MWR) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wild birds in Mississippi. MWR assists hundreds of birds each year and provides educational programs for the community, including schools and civic organizations.

In this Field Trip, participants will tour Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation’s wildlife hospital on Arkabutla Lake. This small facility cares for more than 500 wildlife patients annually and houses several of our education ambassador animals.

Participants will also learn about MWR’s plans to add additional raptor enclosures and interpretive exhibits to make this a destination for the public, including a future Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital. 

Please bring lunch to enjoy a picnic at the scenic lakeside.

You may register for this Field Trip at no additional cost.

Please note that transportation and lunch are not provided for this program. We will have a rideshare sign-up sheet available, and we encourage you to pack a lunch. The program begins at 10am and concludes at 11:30am. Driving time to Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation is about one hour from Memphis.