ANCA (Association of Nature Center Administrators)

We just published the Fall 2024 issue of Directions, the ANCA journal. A distinguished resource for professionals at nature centers, outdoor schools, and related organizations, Directions explores our field's current trends and best practices. The Fall 2024 issue features articles about: ?? Communicating the value of our profession ?? The recently-blocked overtime regulations ?? A unique BIPOC gathering space ? Restoring a former golf course to natural habitat ?? An inventive outdoor escape room ?? Partnering to reach new audiences ?? Succession planning and leadership transition ?? An innovative solar-powered solution See the new issue here: https://lnkd.in/ezM_wxFm Content and contributions come from Lime Hollow Nature Center in Cortland, New York; Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, Minnesota; the Highlands Center for Natural History in Prescott, Arizona; North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier, Vermont; Severson Dells Nature Center in Rockford, Illinois; the DOUGLAS-HART FOUNDATION in Mattoon, Illinois; Linda Loring Nature Foundation in Nantucket, Massachusetts; Dr. Corky McReynolds; and Soler Solutions, Ltd. ?? Cover photo: An autumnal scene from the Lehigh Valley Trail at Lime Hollow Nature Center.

We had an excellent ANCA CONNECTS program yesterday at the ODC Network's Outdoor Discovery Center in Holland, Michigan. Nature center professionals from across Michigan gathered to network and share best practices for managing nature centers and related organizations. Michigan has a strong nature center community, and it really shows at programs like these! Thanks to the Outdoor Discovery Center for hosting and showing off their impressive site and facilities.

We want to thank Orgill for sponsoring the 2024 ANCA Annual Summit last month. By supporting professional development and collaboration in our field, Orgill’s sponsorship helps organizations nationwide stay true to their mission of connecting people with nature. Orgill, Inc. is the world’s largest independently-owned hardlines distributor. Serving more than 13,000 stores across North America and over 50 additional countries, Orgill supports a balanced mix of hardware stores, home centers, pro dealers, and farm stores. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, Orgill employs approximately 6,800 people across its home office and eight distribution facilities. Thank you, Orgill! Pictured: 2024 Summit participants connect at MoSH-Lichterman Nature Center in Memphis, Tennessee.

We want to thank Nephrology One for sponsoring the 2024 ANCA Annual Summit last month. By supporting professional development and collaboration in our field, Nephrology One’s sponsorship helps organizations nationwide stay true to their mission of connecting people with nature. Nephrology One, directed by Dr. John Morris, a Board-Certified Nephrologist, is a solo medical practice dedicated to advancing kidney health in the greater Memphis area. Dr. Morris’ commitment to personalized care and exceptional service positions Nephrology One as a leader in nephrology services. Thank you, Nephrology One! Pictured: A variety of scenes from the 2024 ANCA Annual Summit at MoSH-Lichterman Nature Center in Memphis, Tennessee.

We want to thank the LICHTERMAN-LOEWENBERG FOUNDATION for sponsoring the 2024 ANCA Annual Summit last month. By supporting professional development and collaboration in our field, the Foundation’s sponsorship helps organizations nationwide stay true to their mission of connecting people with nature. The Foundation has a rich history with the Summit’s host, MoSH-Lichterman Nature Center. In 1944 Ira J. Lichterman and William A. Loewenberg purchased 300 acres of land east of downtown Memphis; today part of this land makes up Lichterman Nature Center. Even at the time of their purchase, Lichterman and Loewenberg always intended for a portion of the land to become a “unique public park.” Thank you, Lichterman-Loewenberg Foundation! Pictured: Scenes of MoSH-Lichterman Nature Center in Memphis, Tennessee during the 2024 ANCA Annual Summit.

We want to thank Hennebery Eddy Architects for sponsoring the 2024 ANCA Annual Summit last month. By supporting professional development and collaboration in our field, Hennebery Eddy’s sponsorship helps organizations nationwide stay true to their mission of connecting people with nature. As part of Summit programs, Hennebery Eddy Vice President and Principal Will Ives and Associate Principal Erica Thompson led an informative workshop on how nature centers can plan for sustainable building and renovations. This topic is of great interest to our members, as many organizations are looking to demonstrate sustainability in all aspects of their operations and facilities. Hennebery Eddy Architects includes an expansive team of architects, planners, interior designers, and preservationists who create spaces where people gather, work, learn, and recreate. With studios in Portland and Bend, Oregon, and Bozeman, Montana, Hennebery Eddy serves clients nationwide. Thank you, Hennebery Eddy! Pictured: Will and Erica’s Summit workshop on sustainable buildings at the 2024 ANCA Annual Summit.

We’re having a beautiful day for an ANCA CONNECTS program at Grange Insurance Audubon Center in Columbus, Ohio! Nearly 20 nature center professionals from all over Ohio have gathered to network and connect on nature center operations. We’ve been discussing topics like strategic planning, signage, membership, and trail accessibility at our respective organizations, and sharing resources and strategies for success. Big thanks to Grange Insurance Audubon Center for hosting this program on this GORGEOUS fall day.

We’re grateful to the ANCA community for a successful ANCA Annual Summit at MoSH-Lichterman Nature Center in Memphis, Tennessee earlier this month. Over 160 nature center professionals gathered for a week of professional development and networking, learning about all aspects of operations at nature centers and related organizations. We’ve gotten overwhelmingly positive feedback about the event, and we’re encouraged by the impacts that Summit participants have reported. Here’s what participants had to say: ?? “It was my first summit, and I left feeling like I have found this whole new treasure chest of resources and connections that will be so valuable going forward.” ?? “This conference has been instrumental in helping me develop my nature center.” ?? “ANCA is everything that has been missing from my position.? I'm so happy that I attended!” ?? “Consistently the best professional development for leaders in our field. Everyone is welcoming, inclusive, and willing to help others.” ?? “This conference was incredibly empowering and eye opening as a first time participant. It truly felt like a safe space to discuss any issues within my business and gain insight from those around me.” ?? “Greatest vibe for an experience like this I've ever attended.” (That’s right, we passed the vibe check!) The Summit is a deeply meaningful opportunity for the ANCA Staff and Board to support the nature center profession. We’re elated that this event has such a positive impact on professionals at nature centers throughout North America. The event is also an opportunity for the ANCA Staff and Board to engage with members and learn about trends, challenges, and opportunities to improve ANCA’s programs and services. We are especially grateful to the 2024 Summit participants who participated in roundtable discussions about our profession and how ANCA can best serve the field. We’ll be back with the Annual Summit next year, August 25-29 at the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach, California. Please join us then!

We are pleased to announce Colleen Foehrenbacher as recipient of the 2024 ANCA Outstanding New Leader Award. This award acknowledges Foehrenbacher’s achievements within the nature and environmental learning center field in organizational leadership, professionalism, professional development, and creativity. Foehrenbacher has been Executive Director of Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center since April 2020. She began her work at Eagle Bluff in 2010 as an Environmental Education Fellow, and went on to serve as Eagle Bluff’s Adventure Education Coordinator (2012-2016) and Education Director (2016-2020). Foehrenbacher assumed the Executive Director position at the outset of the pandemic, and successfully navigated Eagle Bluff through the challenges of the initial lockdowns, as well as through the lingering impacts of the pandemic on operations. As an outdoor school that offers multi-day, overnight educational programs, Eagle Bluff was particularly affected by COVID restrictions for years. However, Foehrenbacher has led the organization to thrive during her tenure. Major successes include adding a new high ropes course, opening a preschool, and leading the organization through a capital campaign feasibility study. Foehrenbacher has also strongly contributed to the Outdoor School for All campaign in Minnesota, which aims to support multi-day, accredited overnight outdoor education program experiences for middle school students throughout the state. Beyond her work at Eagle Bluff, Foehrenbacher has been active in ANCA, the Minnesota Nature Center Network, and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and she previously served on the city council for Fountain, Minnesota. She has attended multiple ANCA Annual Summits, ANCA Overnight Camp & Outdoor School Summits, and is a mentor through the ANCA Mentor Program. ANCA will recognize Foehrenbacher with this award at the ANCA Overnight Camp & Outdoor School Summit, January 10-14 at NorthBay in North East, Maryland.

We are pleased to announce Tim Sandsmark as recipient of the 2024 ANCA Nature Center Leadership Award. This award acknowledges Sandsmark’s major achievements in the nature center profession through his work at Jefferson County Open Space and the former Greenway and Nature Center of Pueblo (now the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center). Sandsmark began his administrative career in the nature center profession at the Greenway and Nature Center of Pueblo in 1994, serving as director until 2002. That year Sandsmark became the administrator of the Lookout Mountain Nature Center, part of Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS). JCOS manages over 56,000 acres in 28 parks throughout Jefferson County, Colorado, part of the Denver metropolitan area. Sandsmark went on to hold several other positions at JCOS, including the Lookout Region Parks Supervisor, Education Supervisor, and Heritage Stewardship Supervisor. He retired in 2021. Throughout his career, Sandsmark worked to connect people to nature and elevate our collective profession. He notably led major educational transitions at JCOS, including the development of offsite educational outreach that expanded JCOS’ audience. Sandsmark also led efforts to respond to vastly increased onsite visitation, which led to stronger promotion of park stewardship and visitor safety. Sandsmark is known as a collaborative and thoughtful leader within his professional communities. Heidi Skiba, Stewardship Education Senior Ranger at JCOS, wrote in Sandsmark’s nomination that “Tim noticed and appreciated the unique skills and abilities of each staff member and volunteer, and empowered everyone to utilize those strengths to develop innovative educational opportunities for visitors.” Sandsmark has clearly inspired his colleagues to strive for excellence in our field. Beyond his work at JCOS and the Greenway and Nature Center of Pueblo, Sandsmark has contributed service to multiple nonprofits and professional organizations. Sandsmark served on the ANCA Board of Directors from 2001 to 2008 and from 2011 to 2017. During this time he served as Board President from 2005 to 2008, and Board Treasurer from 2013 to 2017. Following his Board service, he also served on the ANCA Summit Committee until 2019 and the ANCA Governance Committee until 2021. Sandsmark still serves on the ANCA Finance Committee. Additionally, Sandsmark has served on an impressive 23 ANCA Peer Consults. He has also served on the boards of the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE), the Colorado Environmental Partnership, the Lariat Loop National Scenic Byway, and Science, Health and Access to Resources and Education (SHARE). In 2020, Sandsmark received the CAEE Outstanding Retiring Environmental Educator recognition. ANCA will recognize Sandsmark with this award as part of the Leadership Award Ceremony on September 11 at the 2024 ANCA Annual Summit.