Session Schedule

This workshop is the culmination of two national studies that were funded by the National Science Foundation in partnership with ANCA and its members. These studies involved observing over 400 field trip programs, systematically monitoring the characteristics and pedagogical approaches, and measuring student learning outcomes immediately after the programs. This work has produced important empirical findings and broad principles that are relevant for all nature center administrators and their staff and we would like to translate and share this research widely!

Presenters:

• Bob Powell, Director of the Institute for Parks at Clemson University and the George B. Hartzog, Jr. Endowed Professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management
• Kelley Anderson, Senior Research Associate, Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation at Virginia Tech and the Co-founder and Director of Social Science at Human Nature Group

Bob Powell is the director of the Institute for Parks at Clemson University and the George B. Hartzog, Jr. Endowed Professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management where he teaches courses on interpretation, environmental education, and park and protected area management. As part of his research program, Bob has conducted several national studies in partnership with Marc Stern and Kelley Anderson (Virginia Tech) that was supported by the National Science Foundation and investigate the program characteristics that most powerfully influence learning outcomes in environmental education school field trips and interpretive programs for adults.

Kelley Anderson is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation at Virginia Tech and the Co-founder and Director of Social Science at Human Nature Group.  Her research and evaluation efforts focus on environmental education and interpretation, organizational capacity building, adaptive management, and human behavior change. She has contributed to several national studies with Bob Powell and Marc Stern regarding best practices in informal education and interpretation. She received her Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, her M.S. from the University of Florida in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, and her B.S. from Virginia Tech in Forest Resources Management.

Directors, Board Members, and Staff all approach a site planning process from different perspectives and with different objectives. It is critical to build a collaborative vision starting with the planning process itself. We will discuss the core components of a holistic master planning process — but more importantly we will outline 10 direct impacts that together build a foundation toward realization that serve new audiences, deliver dynamic programs, and advance the mission.

Presenters:

• Andrew Duggan, Principal & Partner, Studio Outside
• Brian Halsell, Principal, Studio Outside

Andrew Duggan has been working with the team at Studio Outside for 25 years. As a father of four, he is passionate about creating meaningful experiences for children of all ages out in nature. He has worked with numerous nature centers and camp organizations across the country including Audubon, State Parks, Girl Scouts, the Y, and 4-H. His nature center and botanical garden design projects always seek to forge a connection between mission and site experience, yielding a site that is as inspiring for guests as it is efficient and functional for staff.

Brian Halsell, a Master Naturalist and Studio Outside’s in-house horticultural expert, brings over 15 years of experience in natural systems, native plants, and sustainable site design. He leads multidisciplinary teams with a whole-systems approach, integrating mission, budget, and experience into projects such as botanical gardens, nature centers, and youth camps. A passionate advocate for education and conservation, Brian speaks on native plants and volunteers with local parks and nature centers.

As Nature Centers, Outdoor Schools and Environmental Learning Centers, we often center environmental health in our work and programs. Yet as our country grapples with a growing mental health epidemic exacerbated by social justice issues, the argument for a human-health centered approach to programming has never been greater.

A growing body of evidence shows that strengthening an individual's sense of 'belonging in nature' confers significant mental and behavioral health benefits tied to improved life outcomes. The implication: our centers and programs can be powerful social justice tools, bringing nature and its benefits to the table in collective efforts to advance health and wellness outcomes, especially for marginalized groups. What role can our nature-centric organizations play as advocates for our most vulnerable community members? What opportunities exist for our teams to serve as a critical link between social service providers and positive connections to nature?

In this facilitated discussion, we’ll share:

1. Examples of how our centers and programs are offering resources to advance social justice in our communities
2. Suggestions for effective cross-discipline collaboration
3. Ideas for measuring impact and diversifying financial support.

Participants are encouraged to attend regardless of whether their center or school is currently engaged in human health and social justice work, or they are simply curious and wanting to learn more. Discussion participants will be invited to join a network of ANCA organizations looking to expand their ability to create social good.

Facilitator: Lewis Kogan, Executive Director, Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter in Park City, Utah

Lewis grew up in Missoula, Montana and was indoctrinated early with a love of all things wild and outdoors. He and his wife Halle moved to Utah in 2013 and are raising two wonderful, crazy boys there. Lewis is passionate about access to nature, restoring healthy ecosystems, and working to create and strengthen healthy teams and communities. He has previously worked for the National Park Service, the US Forest Service, Salt Lake City's Public Lands Department, and the Five Valleys Land Trust in Montana. Lewis received a B.S. in Microbiology and an M.S. in Geology from the University of Montana. He loves to hike, backpack, bike, climb, ski and paddle... but especially loves torturing his children by dragging them off into the mountains or the desert at every opportunity. He grew up without a TV, so he is culturally stunted, but is otherwise not a bad guy.

A well-structured and engaged board of directors is the backbone of a successful nonprofit. In this training session, you'll learn how to identify, recruit, develop, and manage a high-performing board that drives your organization's mission forward. We’ll cover key topics such as board roles and responsibilities, board dysfunction and burnout, board orientation, and using a board self-sssessment annually. Whether you're forming a new board or strengthening an existing one, this session will provide practical insights and actionable strategies to build a board that is committed, effective, and aligned with your nonprofit’s goals.

Presenter: Paul Acosta, Executive Director, Sibley Nature Center in Midland, Texas

Paul is a fifth-generation Texan who joined Sibley Nature Center as Executive Director in August 2018. Prior to joining Sibley, Paul was the Associate Director for The Nonprofit Management Center, a nonprofit firm that provided consulting, training, and advocacy to support the effectiveness and sustainability of nonprofit organizations in the Permian Basin. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree in History and has a certificate in Nonprofit Management. His professional experience includes public education and nonprofit management. Paul has sat on the board of directors for a nature preserve, a private school, and cancer support organization. However, his most important role is being Dad to his 9-year old daughter, Kai, and husband to Valerie.

Imagine guiding your nature center through a three-phase capital campaign that feels less like fundraising and more like a joyful celebration of community and purpose. Begin with the vision and renovation —a foundational investment that anchors pride and possibility. Then, extend conservation impact to create something with generational impact. Complete the three-phase strategy by leveraging that momentum and rallying resources for a transformational impact on your nature center. This session will give you real-time examples of how Buffalo Audubon’s Nature Center celebrates joy with in a campaign which includes the creation of a multimillion-dollar nature center renovation, a $1 million inclusive treehouse complex, a vibrant Nature Playspace, an ADA-accessible trail system, and momentum-building future phases—an amphitheater, wetland discovery center, observatory refresh, and trail expansion.

This session offers a replicable, three-phase framework: vision, quiet build, and public launch. You’ll discover how to form a board-backed campaign chair and committee, hire strategic support (consultant + Director of Development), and tap grants, foundations, and grassroots donors. We’ll share seven professional coaching steps—from clarifying roles and board training, to lead-gift cultivation, storyboarding, and phase-based communication—that ensure any center can succeed. Walk away inspired—and equipped—with concrete tools: printable storyboards, grant outlines, board engagement scripts, and communication templates.

Presenter: Ed Sirianno, Executive Director, Buffalo Audubon Society

Ed Sirianno is the Executive Director of Buffalo Audubon. He led the Beaver Meadow Center’s comprehensive renovation and spearheaded the $2 million Tern Island habitat project. He convened a campaign committee, secured a consultant and Director of Development, and launched a phased, three-year $5 million campaign. Results include a renovated nature center, Nature Playspace, and $1 million treehouse; upcoming phases include an amphitheater, wetland discovery center, observatory upgrades, and expanded trails. With 30+ years in nonprofit branding, campaign strategy, and transformative leadership, Ed coaches teams to replicate successful, community-centered capital campaigns anchored in natural intelligence.

 We represent a research-practice partnership that has used affinity spaces in both programming and research contexts throughout the course of the Working Towards Racial Equity project (WTRE). WTRE was a collaboration between the Lawrence Hall of Science, Justice Outside, Restoring C.A.R.E., and Informing Change that was previously funded by the National Science Foundation. This session will share lessons learned from both the research and programmatic side of this multi-year project, diving into the value, impact of and considerations for offering affinity space opportunities for your staff. Participants will engage in generative discussion, reflection, and workshop time, culminating in a draft affinity space implementation plan that is responsive to their context.

Presenters:

• Corinne Calhoun, Lead Environmental Learning Specialist, Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley
• Valeria Romero, Senior Research Lead, Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley

Valeria Romero (she/her) is Senior Research Lead at Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley, where she has led and supported over 30 research/evaluation studies. Her work focuses on examining the intersection of race, power and STEM education. Valeria is Co-Chair of The Lawrence’s Equity Leadership Team and Ph.D. Candidate at UC Davis, with expertise in critical race theory, plática methodology, and belonging.

Corinne Calhoun (she/her) is a Lead Environmental Learning Specialist at the Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley where she designs professional development programming, racial affinity counterspaces, and environmental learning activities/instructional materials that advance equity and organizational systems change. Corinne is a Board Member and Equity and Inclusion Committee co-chair for the CA Association of Environmental and Outdoor Education.

Do you wish you could pay your seasonal staff and interns better? Learn how a Minnesota university partners with nature centers to provide compensation and benefits in the form of customized staff training, professional development, and academic credit.

Hamline offers environmental education and natural resource credentials that suit your needs and support staff development and retention. Benefits to your staff include career support, credit for on-the-job learning and skill development. Benefits to your nature centers include improved capacity and professional skills among staff, longer-term commitment and increased retention, and low-to -no-direct budget impact. Learn the ins and outs of this model and walk away inspired to explore and create partnerships that are a win-win for nature center professionals.

Presenters:

• Patty Born, Associate Professor and Environmental Program Director, Hamline University
• Bryan Wood, Executive Director, Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center

Dr Patty Born has been in higher education for 14 years, after a rewarding career as a naturalist, interpretive planner, and wildlife technician. She has worked many seasonal jobs and internships as well as holding leadership roles in parks and other environmental settings. She has held a longstanding commitment to helping support early career professionals find advancement and success through creative collaborative partnerships.

Bryan Wood is the Executive Director of Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center in Sandstone, Minnesota. During Bryan’s time as Executive Director, Osprey Wilds has grown its development program by 750%, increased its organizational fund balance increased by fifteen fold, added a Legacy Society, completed a 460-acre conservation easement completed with the MN Land Trust, added 247 acres to Osprey Wilds’ main campus, implemented a regenerative farm, acquired the 564 acre Blacklock Nature Campus in Moose Lake, and helped establish a 760 kw solar project onsite through a power purchase agreement with Osprey Wilds’ local utility provider. Bryan earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in Outdoor Education, and a master’s degree from Hamline University in Natural Sciences and Environmental Education. Bryan has been as an adjunct faculty member at Hamline University since 2010, teaching graduate classes through Osprey Wilds. 

United by a common mission of land preservation and education about the natural world, “other” nature-based (but not “nature center”) institutions have plenty of stories to share. Come learn from several allied professionals about how they have approached various topics related to serving up immersive and memorable experiences to the public.

Presenters:

• Andrew Duggan, Principal & Partner, Studio Outside
• Lee Clippard, Executive Director, The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas

Andrew Duggan has been working with the team at Studio Outside for 25 years. As a father of four, he is passionate about creating meaningful experiences for children of all ages out in nature. He has worked with numerous nature centers and camp organizations across the country including Audubon, State Parks, Girl Scouts, the Y, and 4-H. His nature center and botanical garden design projects always seek to forge a connection between mission and site experience, yielding a site that is as inspiring for guests as it is efficient and functional for staff.

Lee Clippard is the Executive Director of The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. He has been a member of the leadership team at the Wildflower Center since 2014, and prior to serving as executive director led the Center’s communications, marketing, plant information and guest experience efforts. Lee holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from UT Austin and a master’s degree in entomology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before joining the Wildflower Center, he was the Senior Director of Communications for the UT Austin College of Natural Sciences. He is a native plant and natural history enthusiast committed to plant and wildlife conservation and creating beautiful, resilient environments.

Whether operating in a pristine natural area or an urban setting, nature centers are deeply connected to their surrounding environments and human networks. This connectivity poses both risk and opportunity when it comes to climate change, natural disasters, and social and economic challenges. In this session, we will explore how principles of resilient and adaptive site and facility design can advance your organization’s mission, strengthen your community, and contribute to healthy ecosystems. Through case studies and examples, we will discuss a range of resiliency approaches including onsite water and wastewater systems, passive sustainability strategies, and designing for equity and inclusion.

Facilitators:

• Erica Thompson, Principal, Hennebery Eddy Architects
• Pete Muñoz, Senior Engineer & Practice Leader, Biohabitats

Erica Thompson, AIA, WELL AP, LEED — Erica 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 a principal at Hennebery Eddy Architects in Portland, Oregon, where she leads the firm’s Net-Positive initiatives, with a focus on implementing sustainable, adaptive design solutions at all project scales.

Pete Muñoz, PE, LEED AP, ECODISTRICTS AP — For 28 years, Pete has helped implement appropriate ecological systems and dynamic water infrastructure on hundreds of projects involving wastewater treatment, stormwater management, rain harvesting, environmental remediation, and watershed restoration with a focus on balancing the water/energy/food/ecology nexus. He implements nature-based solutions that promote healthy communities, resilient infrastructure, and ecological complexity.

Volunteers are the life blood and backbone of many nature centers. Let's talk about ways to successfully, recruit, train, reward, manage, and keep these generous unpaid employees. How has your volunteer workforce changed over the past five years? How can we keep attracting the next generation to volunteer? What concessions have you made for an aging volunteer workforce or volunteers with special needs? Bring your ideas, your successes (and your challenges). Note — this discussion will focus on volunteers that fulfill roles as docents in customer service, education, animal care, and advocacy.

Facilitator: Leanne Welch, Manager, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

Leanne Welch is the Manager of Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton, Florida. Gumbo Limbo has 30 paid employees and anywhere between 150- 200 volunteers each year. Volunteers give Gumbo Limbo an average of 20,000 hours of their time each year (roughly equal to 10 FT employees), and range in age from 16 - 90.

From forest bathing to farm to table dining nights, our facilities are seeing new and exciting program opportunities. Understanding safety concerns that come with these events can be a challenge. We will look at different scenarios and learn to identify, manage, and effectively communicate rules and policies to staff and guests that help to protect our resources and our liability.

Presenter: Meaghan O’Neill, Community Services Supervisor, El Dorado Regional Park and Nature Center in Long Beach, California

Meaghan O’Neill is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional with NRPA. CIP and CIG certified with the National Association for Interpretation, and has 24 years of experience in environmental education and resource management. Her current role as the Community Services Supervisor for the City of Long Beach’s Parks, Recreation and Marine Department has her overseeing a 500-acre regional park and nature center. Over the past decade her role as supervisor has expanded to include CIP projects and looking at risk assessment in park management. Seeing over 2.5 million guests annually from the greater Los Angeles and Orange County areas, she has hand-on experience managing diverse user groups and resolving conflict situations.

An intentionally designed, high-quality professional learning system can help your organization shift instructional practice, support positive outcomes for learners attending your programs, and increase staff retention. But what makes an effective, high quality professional learning system and how can an organization begin building such a system? Join this session to assess your organization’s current professional learning practices; learn from field- elevant research; and engage in generative discussion to explore conditions and elements that can support high-quality ongoing professional development of your staff.

Presenters:

• Corinne Calhoun, Lead Environmental Learning Specialist, Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley
• Mo Henigman, Projects Coordinator, Center for Environmental Learning, Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley

Corinne Calhoun (she/her) is a Lead Environmental Learning Specialist in the Center for Environmental Learning at the Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley. She collaborativelydesigns and implements professional development programs, learner-centered activities and instructional materials that support equitable and inclusive environmental learning experiences and organizational systems change to advance racial equity.

Mo Henigman (they/them) is a Projects Coordinator in the Center for Environmental Learning at the Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley, contributing to the Center’s research and professional learning projects by supporting program ideation and design, resource cultivation and maintenance, and communication between partners and across networks. Mo’s work as an educator has always been driven by their passion for fostering SEL-balanced and learner-centered experiences.

How can emerging technologies deepen our connection to the natural world rather than distract from it? In this interactive session, we will explore how mobile Augmented Reality (AR) can serve as a bridge, not a barrier, to place-based environmental learning. The format will be suited to outdoor facilitation, as users will engage in place-based educational experiences, with the opportunity to explore nearby sites on their own time in Orange County Parks.

Participants will learn how AR can be leveraged to transform nature centers, preserves, and public lands into dynamic learning environments that foster joy, curiosity, and a more profound sense of belonging. By linking digital missions to real-world locations, centers can create playful, culturally sustaining experiences that are accessible both on-site and remotely. This approach supports inclusive, multigenerational engagement and fosters well-being by encouraging outdoor exploration, storytelling, and connection to place.

As part of the workshop, participants will experience hands-on learning by playing a demo “Mission” on the Agents of Discovery app. They will leave with practical ideas for integrating mobile AR into their own sites to enhance place-based learning, promote joy and health, and center community voices.

Presenters:

• John Bello, Assistant Director, Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve, Arizona State University's School of Human Evolution and Social Change
• Joel Krupa, Chief Administrative Officer, Agents of Discovery

John Bello is the Assistant Director at the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve, part of ASU’s School of Human Evolution and Social Change. He oversees site operations, staff, programming, and community outreach. Formerly Director of Education at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, he led innovative and diverse programs. His work centers on inclusive, community-driven learning experiences that connect people to place. Bello’s research explores nature play and risk management in the Sonoran Desert across age groups. He holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation and a Master’s in Museum Studies from ASU.

Joel Krupa supports organizations in enhancing visitor engagement as Chief Administrative Officer at Agents of Discovery. He also teaches Sustainability Economics at the University of British Columbia. His career spans leadership roles in government, business, and non-profits, starting with an internship in the office of former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Joel collaborates with partners across North America and Australia to make learning more playful and accessible. He completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard after earning degrees from UBC, Oxford, the London School of Economics, and the University of Toronto.

Every organization runs on stories about who we are, what we value, and what’s possible. In this interactive session, we’ll build on themes from Summit Featured Speaker Amber Parker's The Stories We Tell keynote to explore how to intentionally shape the narratives that drive our work. Through guided prompts, small-group collaboration, and real-time feedback, you’ll practice identifying core story elements, reframe internal and external narratives, and leave with a working draft of a story you can use in your leadership, fundraising, or team engagement efforts. This is your space to rewrite the story and reclaim your power as a storyteller. Come ready to reflect, share, and reshape the stories that define your mission.

Facilitator: Amber Parker, President & CEO, Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee

Amber Parker has worked in nature centers for over 31 years and has a proven track record of guiding organizations through complex challenges to financial stability and operational excellence. As President & CEO of Ijams Nature Center and founder of RootSpark Consulting, she specializes in executive leadership, strategic planning, and organizational change, helping nonprofits build sustainability and amplify their impact.

Many nature centers are elevating programming and activities that spur visitors and community members to actively engage in conservation activities that address climate change and other threats to wildlife and the natural environment. The National Audubon Society is developing and implementing a new model of Conservation Action Centers that engage individuals and communities in addressing our strategic conservation priorities. We will discuss this model and facilitate a discussion of approaches and best practices in this arena.

Facilitators:

• Loren Smith, Director of Center & Sanctuary Operations, National Audubon Society
• Evelyn Serrano, Center Director, Audubon Center at Debs Park in Los Angeles, California

Loren Smith is a paleontologist turned fundraiser turned not-for-profit manager who currently supports Audubon's network of 31 Centers and an additional 30 sanctuaries and ranches.

Evelyn (Evy) Serrano is the Director of the Debs Park Audubon Center in Los Angeles CA. Previously she spent 12 years conducting outreach programs at the California Science Center, where she developed and managed four separate educational initiatives and greatly expanded the museum’s virtual programs. She holds degrees in marine biology and conservation biology.

Nature center leaders tend to look at program evaluation through a similar paradigm; a problem-based model. Hallmarks of this model are tools such as SWOT analysis and the mission/money matrix. Although effective, problem-based program evaluation can focus on the negative aspects of your organization, discourage creativity, and fail to see the big picture. A different framework is Appreciative Inquiry, a strengths-based approach to organizational development that identifies what is working well and replicates it throughout your organization. Appreciative Inquiry works to find the 'special sauce' of your programs rather than dwelling on problems. Through this workshop, attendees will learn the four steps of Appreciative Inquiry and how to use it for program evaluation at their centers. They will also observe a case study from the Linda Loring Nature Foundation and see the process of Appreciative Inquiry in action.

Presenter: Seth Engelbourg, Director of Education and Interpretation, Linda Loring Nature Foundation

Seth Engelbourg has worked at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation (LLNF) since 2016. At LLNF, Seth develops, implements, and evaluates a broad suite of ecological education programs for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. He also leads the organization’s birding field trips and assists with research on LLNF’s 275-acre property. Seth holds an MS in Environmental Conservation from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

This workshop will explore the role of the nervous system in how we respond to stress, including common responses like fight, flight, freeze, and collapse. You'll develop awareness of your own emotional and physiological states, and consider self-regulation strategies that can be used in your professional setting. The session will also cover ways to support children and families in recognizing and managing their own responses, with the goal of fostering resilience and emotional well-being. Through creative and nature-informed approaches—including play, movement, drumming, and outdoor activities—you’ll explore techniques for group-based regulation that can build joy, connection, and balance.

Presenter: Lindsey Krogh, LCSW/Owner, Joy Dance Play Therapy

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I am someone who loves to help families build strong, joyful connections with their child and teen through the magic of play. For over 25 years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside families, supporting them through life’s ups and downs, and celebrating their children’s growth and resilience. I specialize in working with children and teens including those with neurodiverse needs, using evidence-based and play therapy tools. As a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™, I believe that play is a child’s natural language—it’s how they express themselves and heal. I offer a unique experience for families to use movement, expressive arts, drumming, sand tray and digital play therapy activities that can include an iPad to make therapy fun and engaging and a learning experience. Some of the ways I find joy are soaking up the sun in nature walks/hikes, dancing, a good concert with live music and friends and exploring new places.

As the needs of our communities grow and diversify, how are nature centers responding? We invite participants to explore the evolving role of outdoor education in creating inclusive, welcoming environments for all learners — particularly individuals and families with differing abilities, learning differences, and neurodiverse perspectives.We’ll begin by examining the philosophies and values that share inclusivity at our respective sites and move toward a practical exchange of ideas and experiences. Key questions include:

• How do we adapt or design educational programming to ensure full participation?
• What specific offerings support individuals and families with differing needs?
• How are staff and volunteers trained to engage meaningfully and respectfully with all visitors?

Bring your insights, challenges, and curiosity to a collaborative conversation to reflect, learn, and grow together toward a more inclusive future for outdoor education.

Facilitator: Brittney Beck, Education Program Coordinator and Park Naturalist, El Dorado Regional Park and Nature Center in Long Beach, California

Brittney Beck comes to El Dorado Regional Park and Nature Center with experience teaching high school science in Los Angeles. Prior to that, she gained experience in aquarium husbandry at Aquarium of the Pacific and led informal education experiences for all ages at California Science Center. Brittney earned her B.S. in Marine Biology from California State University, Long Beach, and a M.A. in Education from California State University, Los Angeles. In her current role at El Dorado Nature Center, she shares her passion for helping children uncover nature's magical qualities through science exploration.

From CRMs to online giving and memberships to email platforms, many nature centers and conservation organizations are juggling an ever-growing list of digital tools. But instead of making life easier, these tools can create chaos—disconnected systems, staff burnout, and unclear results.

This facilitated discussion invites participants to step back and explore how we can reframe our relationship with technology. Together, we’ll share what’s working, what’s not, and how to simplify systems so they actually serve the mission—not the other way around.

We’ll dig into questions like:

• How do you choose the right tools for your team?
• What does “digital wellbeing” look like?
• How do you connect tech with impact—not just activity?

You’ll leave with peer insights, practical ideas, and permission to pursue progress—not perfection. No slides, no pitches—just honest dialogue with peers facing the same digital challenges.

Facilitator: Ryan Ruud, Founder, Lake One

Ryan Ruud is the founder of Lake One, a purpose-driven digital consultancy based in Minnesota. Lake One helps nonprofits, nature-centered organizations, and sustainability-focused businesses modernize their operations and communications with thoughtful digital strategy and technology implementation. Ryan brings a unique perspective as a marketing technologist and former nonprofit board member who has worked across sectors to make digital systems more human-centered, measurable, and mission-aligned.

As a leader in your organization, do you ever feel like you just jump from solving one problem to another over and over again? Come join this workshop to discuss how to turn your team members from problem finders to problem solvers through share leadership and collaborative problem-solving techniques.

Key takeaways from this workshop include:

1. Empower your team members to find solutions to their own problems and why it matters.
2. Learn how to "admire" a problem.
3. Leave with a set of tools you can use to facilitate a problem-solving process.
4. Foster a culture of collaborative problem solving in your team.

Presenters:

• Michael Larson, Executive Director, Blue Lotus Center
• Lisa Starke, Associate Director, Blue Lotus Center

Michael Larson has two adult college-aged children and lives with his wife in West Bend, Wisconsin. He loves his role as executive director of the Blue Lotus Center, a nonprofit nature center for people with disabilities and other profound life challenges. With over twenty years of experience in nonprofit administration, he has a varied background managing diverse departments in environmental health, community programs, visitor services, volunteer coordination, and wildlife rehabilitation. His greatest passion, however, is for coaching and developing teams. He has learned so much from the people he has had the honor to lead, and takes great pride in developing leaders and coaching his staff through difficulties by challenging them directly while treating them with compassion and dignity. He does this by fostering an environment of trust, motivation, and mutual respect.

Lisa Starke is the proud mother of two grown sons and lives with her husband in Barton, Wisconsin. She is honored to be the associate director of the Blue Lotus Center, a nonprofit that provides access to a relaxing and empowering day in nature for people of all ages with profound life challenges. Her primary areas of focus are building a thriving core of volunteers, monitoring and writing grants, and assisting with programming. She deeply enjoys utilizing important skills gained from her counseling and marketing degrees as well years of experience working with children with disabilities to help provide Blue Lotus’ wide range of guests with an experience that will have a positive impact.

Our organizations continue connecting people to nature even during challenging times.Nationwide changes and rollbacks in environmental protections have impacted our sector, creating instability, leaving many leaders in pain and seeking opportunities to build community to engage directly in habitat protections, climate resiliency plans, and land stewardship. Join us in a lively discussion on how to build bridges from place-based environmental education to measurable advocacy for protecting open space and wildlife. We will share successful examples of elementary, high school, intern, and community-wide programs that are increasing environmental literacy and amplifying voices for environmental injustices. We invite you to share and brainstorm innovative and resourceful strategies to move forward to protect not only nature but our profession, and one another.

Facilitators:

• Kitty Pochman, Executive Director, Linda Loring Nature Foundation
• Veronica Frehm, Chief Executive Officer, Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park

Kitty Pochman is the Executive Director of the Linda Loring Nature Foundation (LLNF) in Nantucket, Massachusetts. LLNF encompasses more than 275 acres of protected conservation land. The property is a wildlife sanctuary with gentle walking trails through globally rare sandplain grasslands, a robust climate resiliency and rare plant species research program, and an environmental literacy program that empowers our community to develop a sense of place by deepening their connection to the natural world. 

Veronica Frehm is the CEO of Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach, Florida. Under her leadership, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park leads the state in programming and accessibility. Her work ensures that the Park can continue to provide powerful and inspiring experiences for all. Veronica received the 2023 ANCA Outstanding New Leader Award.

See first-hand the world’s first out-of-the-box, plug-and-play, solar-powered water pump, operating right here in Newport Beach. Learn how this innovative system has helped Cincinnati Nature Center achieve their goal of efficient, sustainable irrigation for native plants. Discover how your nature center can benefit from efficient water movement, time savings, and reduced costs by utilizing our solar-powered water pump system. Key benefits include:

• No electricity required
• Low maintenance, with no moving parts
• Pollution-free and silent operation
• Easy to move or secure in place
• Flat-packing for space-saving storage

Visitors to this session will be eligible for a one-time special offer. We look forward to supporting your efforts toward greater efficiency, sustainability, and productivity.

Presenters:

• Matt Eccles, Director, Soler Solutions
• Michelle Trew, Marketing Manager, Soler Solutions