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Welcome from the Executive Director of ANCA On behalf of the ANCA board of directors and staff, I invite you to join us at ANCA Summit XVII, the Great Smokies Summit, to be held at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont (Tremont) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Why come to the Summit? The ANCA Summit is considered one of the best professional development opportunities for nature and environmental learning center directors and senior staff, and this year will be no exception. You will meet other nature center professionals from throughout North America, you will discuss ways other centers are tackling the challenges of the economy, you will learn about new program ideas, and you will leave with great ideas and resources to take back to your center. You will also have fun, relax, and connect with you peers in a setting that will “feel like home.� Tremont co-hosted the ANCA Summit in 1998, and we are delighted they have decided to be our hosts again! Summit organizers have put together a fantastic lineup of programs, field trips, entertainment, and opportunities for sharing so please join us at the Great Smokies Summit in August! For more information about ANCA, visit our website at www.natctr.org. See you in August!
Jen Levy, executive director, Association of Nature Center Administrators
ANCA Board of Directors Dave Catlin, president National Audubon Society, MO
Victor Elderton North Vancouver Outdoor School, Cananda
Ken Voorhis, V.P./professional services Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, TN
Keanna Leonard Rowe Sanctuary & Audubon Center, NE
Dede Long, V.P./development Retired from Briar Bush Nature Center, GA
Francis Velazquez York County Parks, Nixon Park, PA
Cynthia Harrell, secretary Crows Neck Environmental Education Center, MS
Pat Welch Retired from Pine Jog Environmental Education Center, FL
Patty Weisse, treasurer Baltimore Woods Nature Center, NY
Brian Winslow Asbury Woods Nature Center, PA
Jim Berry Roger Tory Peterson Institute, NY
ANCA Staff
Holly Dill Environmental Learning Center, FL
Thank you to our 2011 Summit XVII Sponsors!
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Jen Levy, executive director Ann Rilling, marketing and communications director
Weclome to Great Smoky Mountains National Park! ANCA’s Summit XVII will be hosted in the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On behalf of the staff of Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont I want to invite you to join us and other nature and environmental center leaders for five days of sharing best practices, ideas, and strategies related to meeting the challenges that we all are facing. When an organization is stressed, are there any times more critical for those in leadership to go to the well, so to speak, to seek the wisdom and experience of others and contribute to the discussion about how to manage during difficult times? With that question in mind we prepared for a powerful range of workshops and facilitated sessions focused on meeting today’s center directors’ needs. We are thrilled at the level of expertise, experience, and depth of thought reflected in the workshops and sessions that will be offered. We’ve watched the ingredients combine wonderfully to create an invaluable stew of experience, networking, and content that we trust can provide the renewal, motivation, and new perspectives that ANCA Summits have become known for. In addition, we developed as many ways as we can to immerse participants in the rich tradition of story and song that speak of the relationship between people, nature, and the land in the southern Appalachians. We look forward to welcoming and hosting each of you in the spirit of southern hospitality that is also a longstanding tradition of these mountains and its people. The mountains are calling! We hope you will answer and be involved as part of Summit XVII.
Ken Voorhis, executive director, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
Tremont Board of Directors Executive Committee Edward Pershing, president Cathy Ackermann, vice president Jon Lawler, treasurer Sandy Martin, secretary Dick Ray, past president Directors Jack Burgin Bill Cobble Jim Haslam Christopher Jackson Rick Johnson Maribel Koella Robin Turner Jamie Woodson Emeritus Pat Atkins Kati Blalock Patrick Roddy
Tremont Staff
Caleb Carlton, teacher/naturalist Dawn Dextraze, teacher/naturalist Mary Silver, teacher/naturalist Mary Dresser, program specialist Tiffany Beachy, citizen science coordinator Jennie McGuigan, school programs coordinator Jeremy Lloyd, special programs coordinator John DiDiego, education director Angie Harris, cook Linda Hatcher, cook David McNeill, cook Emma Willison, cook Mechelle Crowe, cook Steve Foster, food service director Phillip Johnson, assistant grounds and facilities manager Sam Crowe, grounds and facilities manager Gary Carpenter, sales Linda Vananda, sales Heather Davis, marketing communications specialist Sandi Byrd, development/ public relations Julie Brown, registrar/ assistant office manager Mike Gross, finance manager Charlene Stewart, human resources/ office manager Ken Voorhis, executive director
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Schedule At A Glance Wednesday - August 17 8:00 am - 8:00 pm 5:00 pm 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm 7:15 pm - 9:00 pm
New Directors Research
Friday - August 19
8:00 am - 12:00 pm 8:00 am - 6:00 pm 9:00 am - 10:30 am 10:45 am - 12:15 pm 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm 1:15 pm - 2:45 pm Thursday - August 18 2:45 pm - 3:00 pm 8:00 am - 6:00 pm Registration & Exhibit Hall Open 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm 8:30 am Welcome to Summit XVII 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Morning Workshops 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm Leadership Skills for New Directors 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm 7:15 pm - 9:00 pm The Critical Peripherals: Integrating 9:00 pm - ???? Environmental Socialization Strategies into the Workings of Nature Centers
Registration Open (See activities on page 14) Reception Dinner Opening Remarks, Brag Night
Workshop Tracks:
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Registration Open Exhibit Hall Open Facilitated Sessions I Facilitated Sessions II Lunch Trends in the Profession Group Photo Ice Cream Social sponsored by Living Color Enterprises Facilitated Session III Social Dinner Live Auction Songs & Sharing Around the Campfire
Saturday - August 20
Nature Centers and Their Educational Philosophy Shifting Our Thinking
Sunday - August 21 Field Trips
Optional Activities:
5:30 pm - 6:00 pm 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm 7:15 pm - 8:00 pm 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm 9:00 pm - ????
Social Dinner ANCA Nature Center Leadership Award Wisdom of the Mountains— Stories with Elizabeth Rose (page 16) Songs & Sharing Around the Campfire
Hike to Waterfall Stories from the Past in Walker Valley Cemetery Relaxing by/in the River Citizen Science (see page 14 for more info)
Meet for Birding in Cades Cove Exhibit Hall Open Facilitated Sessions IV Facilitated Sessions V Lunch Facilitated Sessions Open Space Closing Circle Social & Dinner Music & Dancing with Trufflehounds Get into the Smoky Mountain Spirit(s) (page 16) Songs & Sharing Around the Campfire
Old-growth Hike High Country Exploration Cherokee! Ijams Nature Center Smokies’ Cultural History Citizen Science in the Field (See pages 17 & 18 for more info)
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Program
Combat Confusion and Motivate Employees by Understanding Personality Types
6:30 am 8:00 am - 1:00 pm Nature-Based Preschool—Is it Right for 9:00 am - 10:30 am Your Center? 10:45 am - 12:15 pm 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm Lunch 1:15 pm - 4:45 pm 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm Afternoon Workshops 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm Fundraising 101: Step by Step Strategies for 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm Financial Sustainability 7:15 pm - 9:00 pm Building a Learning Organization: What are the Steps for Developing a System for Continual Programmatic Improvement and Capturing your Successes? 9:00 pm - ???? Starlight Star Bright: Making the Most of Talented Staff!
Human Resources
PLEASE NOTE:
Cell phones do not get reception on the Tremont campus Wireless internet access is available at Tremont’s dining hall and activity center. If someone needs to reach you during the summit in case of an emergency, call 865-448-6709. After business hours, please leave a message.
2011 ANCA Summit Registration Information Before registering, please review the detailed information in this brochure, and then go to the link below. As you fill out the online form you will select lodging options, workshop choices, and enter your personal information and preferences. If you have questions or concerns please contact mail@gsmit.org.
http://www.gsmit.org/anca2011.html Registration for Tremont Package Lodging space available at Tremont will be reserved on a first-come-first-served basis. Tremont lodging includes all sessions, programs, and meals from dinner on the day of arrival through breakfast on the day of departure. There is an additional charge for post-summit field trips. Non-member registration includes a one-year individual ANCA membership.
Full Package - Tremont Lodge (Wed. - Sat.)* Full Package - Tremont Tent Village (Wed. - Sat.)* Partial Package (Fri. and Sat.) - Tremont Lodge Partial Package (Fri. and Sat.) - Tremont Tent Village
ANCA Member** $552 per person $526 per person $531 per person $506 per person
ANCA Non-Member** $622 per person $596 per person $601 per person $576 per person
*No extra charge for Sunday night stay over
Registration for Summit Only
This package includes all sessions, programs, lunches, and dinners. The rates do not include lodging or breakfast at Tremont. Please refer to page 7 for lodging recommendations and booking information. Full Package - commuter (Wed. - Sat.) Partial Package - commuter (Fri. and Sat.) One-day Package - commuter (Fri. OR Sat.)
ANCA Member** $400 per person $370 per person $332 per person
ANCA Non-Member** $470 per person $440 per person $402 per person
**Early Bird Prices listed above. If you register after July 10, the above fees increase by $75.
Post-Summit Field Trips
• Old-growth Hike - $40 • High Country Exploration - $40 • Cherokee! - $50
• Ijams Nature Center - $40 • Smokies’ Cultural History - $40 • Citizen Science in the Field - $40
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Host Location: Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 9275 Tremont Rd., Townsend, TN 37882 www.gsmit.org 865-448-6709 Mission: Connecting people and nature in GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK to provide in-depth experiences through educational programs that celebrate ecological and cultural diversity, foster stewardship, and nurture appreciation of GSMNP. Tremont is an independent nonprofit residential environmental learning center and educational partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). In 2009, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont (Tremont) celebrated 40 years of connecting people and nature; it was also the 75th anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Each year thousands of people attend Tremont programs, learning about and experiencing the national park in ways that are transferable to their everyday lives and home communities. Students, teachers, interns, and many others also take part in citizen science projects to increase their understanding of, and connection with, the natural world. www.gsmit.org 865-448-6709
Travel Airport Shuttles
DISTANCES QUICK REFERENCE:
40 min. drive from McGee Tyson Airport - Knoxville (TYS) 2 hours and 45 min. drive from Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) 3 hours and 30 min. drive from Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Shuttle service will be provided between McGee Tyson Airport - Knoxville (TYS) and Tremont for $20 one-way. Shuttle service FROM the airport will be limited to three pick-ups (11 am, 2 pm, and 5 pm) on Aug. 17. Shuttle service TO the airport will be available at 6 am and 9 am on Aug. 21 and Aug. 22. Please schedule your flights accordingly. Once you know your travel plans, please complete the shuttle service form found at www.gsmit.org/anca2011.html. A link to this form will also be included in your registration confirmation email and in a follow-up email closer to the Summit. The information will be used to determine shuttle seating. Rental Cars Rental cars are also available from McGee Tyson Aiport and should be booked separate from Summit registration. 6
Want to share a ride? Visit our ANCA blog
and comment to connect with others who want to share too. http://smokiesanca2011.blogspot.com/
Enjoy living in the national park and not having to travel back and forth to a hotel by staying at Tremont with the Middle Prong of the Little River, the quiet of the mountains, and several park trails at your doorstep. Breakfast will be provided to those staying on site. Space is limited.
Tremont Caylor Lodge
Caylor Lodge is an air-conditioned two-story dormitory with 150 beds. Adult capacity for the Summit will be limited to 50 so that participants can have greater privacy. Each floor of the dorm is divided into two sections, each section has a shared bathroom. Each section is further divided into modules of two to eight beds.
Onsite Lodging
Tremont Tent Village
Experience the mountains up close and personal in one of our five cabin-style platform tents in a mature cove hardwood forest. Cabin tents sleep up to eight in bunk beds but will be limited to four occupants per tent for the Summit. A shower room is available within a short walk of the tent village. Onsite lodging should be reserved during online registration.
Offsite Lodging Local Hotels Highland Manor http://highlandmanor.com/ We have blocked 20 rooms at a rate of $59.50/ night. When booking refer to “ANCA Summit.” Book by July 15, 2011 to get ANCA rate. TalleyHo Inn http://www.talleyhoinn.com/ We have blocked 20 rooms at a rate of $59 (Wed, Thurs, Sun) and $69 (Fri, Sat). When booking refer to “ANCA Summit.” Book by July 1, 2011 to get ANCA rate. Shuttle service will be offered between Tremont and the two motels listed above on a scheduled basis.
Cabin rentals
Townsend has numerous cabins available for nightly rental. For cabin rentals see http://www.smokymountains.org
Campgrounds
The nearest national park campground is Cades Cove (about a 20 minute drive). For reservations go to: http://www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 Other campgrounds are available in Townsend. http://www.smokymountains.org/accommodations/campgrounds.html Offsite lodging costs are not included in your registration fees and should be booked separately.
Food & Drink Tremont has an excellent food service staff who is excited about planning meals for the Summit, utilizing local foods when possible and providing a menu that is environmentally sensitive, nutritional, and varied. Participants will have opportunities to experience some southern cuisine. Vegetarian options are available at all meals. Please be sure to note this or other dietary needs on the online registration form. Tremont will provide limited beer and wine for socials. Participants are welcome to bring their own preferred beverages to enjoy later in the evening. 7
Workshops
Thursday, August 18
Get the most out of your workshops! Follow a track throughout the entire Summit or pick and choose your sessions one by one.
Morning Workshops Leadership Skills for New Directors
New Directors Track
Afternoon Workshops
Fundraising 101: Step by Step Strategies for Financial Sustainability
The Critical Peripherals: Integrating Environmental Socialization Strategies into the Workings of Nature Centers
Research Track
Building a Learning Organization: What are the Steps for Developing a System for Continual Programmatic Improvement and Capturing your Successes?
Human Resources Track Combat Confusion and Motivate Employees by Understanding Personality Types Nature-based Preschool—Is it Right for Your Center?
Starlight Star Bright: Making the Most of Talented Staff!
Program Track
Facilitated Sessions
Nature Centers and Their Educational Philosophy—Shifting Our Thinking
Friday, August 19
Facilitated sessions make up the main content of the Summit and take full advantage of the collective expertise of the membership. These 90-minute sessions cover current topics and you can expect to come away with some of the best practices from professionals around the country. The following is a sample of session topics and does not represent the complete facilitated session listing.
Leadership, People and Programs Leadership for Success in Hard Times - Motivating Staff Working with Volunteers: Case Studies from the Field Rethinking Your Mission
Land & Facilities Green Buildings and Operations Energy Efficiency: Modeling Sustainability
Financial Management
Annual Fundraising Tips in Hard Economic Times Budgeting Your Way to Financial Stability Attracting New Donors Cost Benefit Analysis of Programs
Management and Operations
Working with Collections Effectively Risk Management Lessons Learned - Case Studies Nature Center Stores - Best Practices 8
Public Relations and Marketing
Eco-tourism and Eco-preneurial Opportunities Social Media Success Stories from the Field Online Opportunities - Blogs, Wikis, Facebook
Open Space Additional facilitated sessions added during the Summit.
Morning Workshops, Thursday, Aug. 18
Leadership Skills for New Directors What does it take to succeed as a leader at a nature center, residential center, or environmental education organization? Beyond the stuff you need to know, how do you really pull it off, day in and day out, sustaining both your organization and yourself? This is a good time to be a new executive director, and an incredibly challenging time as well. This workshop will share the real world experience of three successful executive directors with different styles and approaches to help you develop the human, financial, administrative, and program resources necessary to achieve your organization’s mission and strategic objectives. We’ll put everything we talk about into the context of today’s challenging economic and political climate. We’ll look at the relationship between mission and money, working with boards and staff and stakeholders, strategic planning on the run, partnerships and negotiation, marketing and fundraising, fiscal management, and working with external constituencies—schools and universities, federal and state agencies, NGOs, corporate and foundation partners, donors, and members. Be prepared to fully participate—to listen, question, challenge assumptions, speak out, argue, have fun, laugh loudly and often, and most of all, help us all refine our tool kits for success in 2011.
New Directors Track
Saul Weisberg is executive direc-
tor and co-founder of North Cascades Institute, a nonprofit working in partnership with the National Park Service, the US Forest Service and the City of Seattle “to conserve and restore Northwest environments through education.”
Pat Welch retired from Pine Jog
Environmental Education Center after 22 years as executive director. She serves on the ANCA board and was awarded the Nature Center Leadership Award in 2009.
Ken Voorhis has served as
executive director of Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont since 1984. He is on the ANCA board and has been involved with residential environmental learning centers for over 30 years.
The Critical Peripherals: Integrating Environmental Socialization Strategies into the Workings of Nature Centers
Research Track
The remembered lives of natural history oriented professionals are littered with encounters with like-minded individuals, serendipitous events, development of odd skill sets, patient parent(s), empowering professionals, many and varied hot/dirty/ wet/buggie play and recreation experiences within nature, being teased for being interested in nature, lots of biology classes, and much more. These many mutually reinforcing experiences with people/settings/activities occur over a 15-20 year period starting in childhood. These events and the emergence of a naturalist identity distinguish almost a subculture of people defined by heightened awareness and emotional affinity toward (nearby) nature, natural history, and the environment. This workshop examines the (often) simple things we can do with our members to increase competency, meaningfulness, involvement, commitment, enjoyment, identity, and a sense of belongingness to our organizations and nature. Workshop participants will examine a dozen or more environmental socialization phenomena (ESP) and then identify strategies for mimicking these processes at our centers. By the end of the workshop participants will better understand why: • some children get more out of a school field trip than others • public programming is so important • “transitions” should be a part of every program and lesson plan • a two minute conversation may be just as important as an all-day program • adding a leisure/recreation component to everything we do is anything but frivolous The workshop will be most useful to nature centers who serve local/regional constituents who are able to return to the nature center several times over the course of a year. Before becoming a professor at Clemson University where he currently teaches interpretation, Rob Bixler worked as a summer camp counselor, residential environmental educator, and interpretive naturalist in state park and NGO settings. He also served as manager of research and program evaluation for Cleveland Metroparks where he provided services for a zoo and four nature centers. At Clemson, his research and design work has focused on identifying a plethora of socialization phenomena that contribute to someone developing a robust interest in nature and the environment. His work argues that we will be most effective when we add an environmental socialization component to our environmental education/interpretation. 9
Morning Workshops, Thursday, Aug. 18 Human Resources Track
Combat Confusion and Motivate Employees by Understanding Personality Types
Have you ever sat in a meeting and listened to two people arguing with each other over what seems to be the same point? Ever wonder why it is that some people don’t hear what you think you just said? Do you have detail-oriented people who get frustrated because they have to deal with ‘gray’ areas of the job? Or staff who have to begin every conversation by bragging about what they or their family did the evening before? Are there some people that never seem to get on the same wavelength? Misunderstanding causes concern and this will drain the energy right out of people. Get your energetic workforce back! Motivate them to work together more productively through clear communication with one another. To communicate effectively, we need to understand that there are differences in human temperament. Learn to match the communication style of your listening audience and you will be on your way to building rapport and motivation. To do so, you need to understand the personality and behavioral styles of the person you are working with, as well as your own. This workshop will help you identify characteristics of different personalities and understand the values, strengths, and challenges associated with them. Learn the keys toward adapting your communication style to best match they way others communicate. Having an understanding of temperament (personality) can help to break down social and communication barriers that can stand in the way of team members working together. When understanding comes in, misunderstanding leaves.
Charlene Stewart is a skilled and accomplished facilitator who enjoys interacting with her audi-
ence during sessions. She is currently the human resources manager at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. With over 20 years of leadership experience in both private and nonprofit sectors, her strengths in relationship management and team building are most noteworthy. Her extensive training and expertise helps her recruit, develop, and maintain a motivated employee base that strives to achieve and exceed expected outcomes.
Nature-based Preschool—Is it Right for Your Center?
Program Track
Nature-based preschools are a cutting-edge, highly effective, and fiscally rewarding way of building children’s lifelong connection with the natural world. However, starting a preschool from scratch is a time-consuming, staff intensive process that can also be costly. Before undertaking such a project it’s important for nature centers to determine, “Is a nature-based preschool right for us?” The goal of this session is to provide a framework for determining the feasibility of a nature-based preschool. This session will give participants an overview of the plethora of information that needs to be gathered and decisions that need to be made before opening a preschool program. Classroom space, play areas, target demographics, staffing, marketing, timelines, and much more will be discussed.
Buffy (Elizabeth) Cheek became the
executive director of the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in 1997. Schlitz houses a unique nature preschool, which has received national recognition from both Richard Louv and National Audubon. The nature preschool has been filled to capacity with a waiting list since its inception. Buffy is a past ANCA board member, having served for several years as Vice President of Development. She earned her B.S. and M.S. at the University of Wisconsin.
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Rachel Larimore is the
director of education at Chippewa Nature Center (CNC) in Midland, Michigan. She was responsible for the research, planning, and implementation of the CNC’s Nature Preschool which opened in 2007 and now serves 60 3 and 4 year old children. Rachel earned a M.A. in Park & Recreation Administration and a B.S. in Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism.
Afternoon Workshops, Thursday, Aug. 18
Fundraising 101: Step by Step Strategies for Financial Sustainability
New Directors Track
The workshop will focus on best practices in fundraising and development. Content in the Director’s Guide to Best Practices will be enhanced with case studies, personal experience and opportunity for interactive discussions. Attention will be given to the most important elements of building a successful fundraising program and participants will leave the workshop with an action plan for advancing fundraising at their center. Four veteran executive directors, each with over 20 years of experience and representing different types of centers, will facilitate the workshop. The collective experience of the presenters includes expertise in building fundraising networks and boards, developing membership and annual giving programs, conducting special events, and creating diversified funding streams. Pat Welch, retired executive director, Pine Jog Environmental Education Center (see bio on page 9) Buffy Cheek, executive director, Schlitz Audubon Nature Center (see bio on page 10) Charity Krueger has been Executive Director of the Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm since 1982. Charity served as a board member of ANCA from 1991 to 1999 and was awarded the ANCA Nature Center Leadership Award in 2003. Gordon Maupin has been the executive director of The Wilderness Center in Ohio since 1981. Gordon served on the ANCA Board of Directors from 1995 to 2003 and was president from 2001 to 2003. In 2006 he was awarded the ANCA Nature Center Leadership Award.
Building a Learning Organization: What are the Steps for Developing a System for Continual Programmatic Improvement and Capturing your Successes?
Research Track
This workshop is specifically developed for nature center directors and will introduce the concept of adaptive management and examine the steps that are necessary to develop an internal system for continual programmatic improvement and a culture of learning. One aspect of successful adaptive management systems is a commitment to consistent monitoring and evaluation to gauge outcomes and to investigate the relative effectiveness of different aspects of educational programs. Through a facilitated process, participants will be provided practical exercises that will aid the development or refinement of an adaptive management system. It is thought that a system of adaptive management is necessary for nature centers to meet long-term goals, to address changing social and economic challenges, and to produce meaningful educational and conservation outcomes.
Bob Powell
is an associate professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management and the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Clemson University. His research and outreach program has taken him to over 40 countries and six continents and focuses on how informal education, tourism development, and institutional and governance characteristics facilitate or produce barriers to effective protected area management and sustainable development. As part of his research program, Bob is currently evaluating the Together Green initiative which funds community-based conservation projects and is administered by the National Audubon Society and funded by the Toyota Foundation. He is also developing a standards assessment tool for interpretation, education, and visitor orientation for the National Park Service and evaluating education and outreach in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 11
Afternoon Workshops, Thursday, Aug. 18
Starlight Star Bright: Making the Most of Talented Staff!
Human Resources Track
Do you have the perfect tool for interviewing prospective staff or a highly effective evaluation tool? As managers, we spend a significant portion of our time interpreting personalities, selecting positive traits to fill vacancies, reviewing job performances, and providing praise and acknowledgment for jobs well done. Good staff management can be the glue that keeps an organization strong and moving forward, but can also look very different from organization to organization. Through hands-on activities and small group discussions we will develop a set of best practices in the following areas: recruitment, interviews and references, training, evaluations, communication across the generations, and conflict resolution. Participants will be asked to bring examples of various staff management tools and will be contacted by the presenters prior to the Summit with more details.
Jenn Wright is the vice presi-
dent of education at the Kalamazoo Nature Center (KNC). She has worked for KNC since 2001 and holds a B.S. degree from Central Michigan University in biology. Jenn oversees all of the education programs including: Camp, School & Outreach, Nature’s Way Preschool, Public Programs & Exhibits, and the newly created DeLano Farms CSA project. Jenn is actively involved in interpretive program design and delivery, team development amongst the education staff, consultation with other interpretive sites, and grant writing at KNC.
Sarah Reding is the vice president of
conservation stewardship at the Kalamazoo Nature Center (KNC). She has worked for the Nature Center for 21 years in various capacities: interpretive program delivery and development, consultation with nature centers and programs around the country, and now overseeing KNC’s Land and Ecological Management programs. These programs involve research on a local to national level, habitat restoration, trail design, and biological assessment. She is also responsible for the development of KNC’s Citizen Science programs and interpretation of conservation on the KNC site.
Nature Centers and Their Educational Philosophy Shifting Our Thinking
Program Track
At last year’s Summit, we presented Making Nature Personal – Cincinnati Nature Center’s new educational philosophy which focuses on building community and fostering an ethic of mentorship and influence. It became the basis of our recent 3-year strategic plan. This year, we will report on its implementation sharing the goals, strategies, and measurements we developed to help us know if our efforts are impacting our desired outcomes. We will describe NatureVersity—the program initiative that has arisen to serve this new philosophy. (http://www.cincynature.org/natureversity.html) Using CNC’s model as a case study, participants will have an opportunity to discuss and explore how this philosophy might be applied to their center.
Bill Hopple has been the executive director of Cincinnati Nature Center since 1996, and he is passionate about connecting people, especially children, to the natural world. As living organisms, humans are part of the ecosystem. All must develop an understanding and appreciation of other living things—our lives depend on it! Bill is co-founder of the Leave No Child Inside—Greater Cincinnati’s collaboration promoting the critical importance of all children having frequent experiences in nature for healthy physical, emotional, and intellectual development. Bill has a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in biology/ecology from Cornell University and a Masters of Science in biology/ecology from the University of Cincinnati. He also taught physical and life sciences for seven years and worked in a variety of outdoor programs including as a mountaineering instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School in the 1970s.
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ANCA Mentor Program A number of ANCA members benefit from taking part in mentoring opportunities of one kind or another. Others consider the idea but have not found a good opportunity for doing so. At this year’s Summit we are providing an opportunity, for those interested, to explore this further. If you are interested in being involved in exploring a mentoring opportunity please check that box on the registration form. You will be sent a short survey and we will develop pairs who will be scheduled to have a discussion during the Summit on mentoring. Each pair will be provided some ideas and guidelines on mentoring and the objective of developing a strategy for creating a mentoring relationship with one another or for finding an appropriate person for doing so.
Summit Scholarship Application ANCA provides scholarship funding based on financial need to directors of centers with limited budgets. 1. The deadline to apply for a Summit Scholarship is June 1, 2011. All materials must be submitted electronically to: favelazquez@york-county.org by 5:00 pm eastern time. 2. To use the Scholarship Form, please download the PDF fill-in-form and “save as” with your name as the filename. Fill in the form and submit via email to the above address. 3. Download the PDF fill-in form at www.gsmit.org/anca2011.html. 4. Please call Jen Levy at 435-787-8209 with any questions.
The Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) is a private nonprofit organization founded in 1989 to provide a professional association for leadership in the nature and environmental education center profession. ANCA is a national network of nature center leaders designed to enhance professionalism and provide the support system critical to innovative and progressive management. Member benefits include: • • • • • • •
ANCA’s quarterly newsletter, Directions, provides helpful information, commentary, and tips on all aspects of environmental learning center management. Discounts on ANCA’s annual Summit, other workshops and special products such as the Director’s Guide to Best Practices.
Access to membership information, including results from ANCA market studies, salary surveys, membership questionnaires, surveys, etc. Access to the Member’s Only area of the website where you will find past issues of Directions, Sample Documents and Policies from member organizations, and resources from past Summits. A personal network of highly skilled and experienced leaders who are willing to share their learning and expertise. Free job postings on the ANCA website.
A voice for the profession, representing the needs and benefits of nature centers to government agencies, funding sources, and other professional networks. 13
Optional Activities Depending on when you arrive or depart, you may have time for some self-guided explorations. May we suggest? •
A drive of Cades Cove Loop Road – On this 11-mile loop road, expect to see beautiful vistas, wildlife, and historic homesteads and other buildings that remain from a thriving community that existed for a hundred years before the national park was established. This will take 2-4 hours depending of traffic.
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Hike to Spruce Flats Falls (see description below) – Allow for 2 hours to be on the safe side and leave yourself time to enjoy the falls.
•
A walk or drive up the Middle Prong – This road and river are steeped in history from the logging days. Take a trip up the gravel road with an auto tour brochure to learn a little about the logging history while enjoying the river.
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Relaxing/soaking in the Middle Prong - We have a great swimming hole in our river. A great place to soak your feet (or head) after a long day of brain work.
Optional afternoon activities: •
Waterfall hike – Hike with a Tremont teacher/naturalist to a hidden gem of the Smokies, Spruce Flats Falls. This is a 2+mile (roundtrip) hike over pretty rough terrain. We will need to move briskly to be back in time for dinner!
•
Stories from the past – Join Tremont’s special program coordinator and author Jeremy Lloyd on a stroll to Walker Valley Cemetery and hear some of the lore on the early settlers of this valley.
•
Tremont tour – Tour the facilities and learn about residential programming from one of Tremont’s naturalists.
•
Salamander/Citizen Science – Come search some local streams for salamanders and learn a bit about how Tremont does citizen science.
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Soak in the Middle Prong – Immerse yourself in the river to get that rejuvenating rush that only a mountain stream can provide.
SATURDAY MORNING BIRDING
Early morning birding in Cades Cove – Grab a quick bite to eat and head over to the open fields of Cades Cove with Tremont Citizen Science coordinator Tiffany Beachy to do some birding in a variety of habitats. Van leaves Tremont at 6:30 a.m.
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Evening Activities WEDNESDAY Opening Reception – Welcome to the Smokies Summit! Ease into ‘mountain time’ reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones. Enjoy the homegrown music of the Woodpickers starting at 5:00 pm and continuing through dinner. Brag Night - This annual event lets each organization introduce itself to the group with photos and phrases that capture what is special about their center. This kicks off a wave of excitement about the incredible work we are doing collectively as well as inspires you to get out and visit some of the best organizations in the country. (Be sure to upload your photos when you register.)
THURSDAY
ANCA Nature Center Leadership Award – Please join us as we celebrate this year’s top leader in the field of nature center administration. Wisdom of the Mountains: Storyteller Elizabeth Rose Let Elizabeth mesmerize you with her vivacious stories woven with wit, humor, and expressive enthusiasm. (see more on next page 16)
FRIDAY
ANCA Live Auction – You are sure to find unusual items and unique gifts to bid on during this entertaining extravaganza. This is a chance to outbid your colleagues, pick up an exotic gift, AND support ANCA all in one fell swoop! You can expect it to include one-of-a-kind artwork, vacation getaways to beautiful places, and outstanding professional development opportunities. If you have items to donate for the Live Auction, please contact Ann Rilling at arilling@natctr.org.
SATURDAY
Music and Dancing with the Trufflehounds – Sit back and enjoy the show or become a part of the excitement yourself while this old time string band fills the mountains with music.
Get into the Smoky Mountains Spirit(s) – Wet your whistle with some Tennessee favorites. We’ll have sweet tea and RC Cola (and Moon Pies!) as well as some choices with a bit more spark. (see more on page 16)
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Wisdom of the Mountains Storyteller
Elizabeth Rose
We all know the power of a good story… stories play a role in both the cultural history of this region and in our work as environmental educators, and so this evening you are in for a real treat with world-class storyteller Elizabeth Rose. She will share the wisdom of the mountains through stories woven with wit, humor, and expressive enthusiasm. Be ready to be drawn into the action! Elizabeth is a long-time Tremont supporter and is a frequent evening presenter for our school and adult programs. She began by bringing her own students to Tremont over a decade ago. She has thrilled children and adults alike with her vivacious storytelling in classrooms, festivals, and conferences around the country. She graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville receiving her Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood and Curriculum & Instruction. She also has a Master’s Degree in Education, and an Educational Specialist degree (Ed.S.) in Supervision and Administration. Elizabeth is currently: • Principal–Cherokee Middle School • Executive Director–National Youth Storytelling Showcase • State Liaison for Tennessee–National Storytelling Network • Co-chair for YES Sig–Youth and Educators in Storytelling
Music and Dancing with the Trufflehounds Come and enjoy a relaxing last night at Tremont with some top notch music and a professional caller to teach you the basic dance moves Smoky Mountains style. The tradition of an evening dance to the music of an old time string band is a rich part of the southern Appalachians and is sure to be a lively toe-tapping wrap-up to this year’s Summit!
Old time music’s intent is to “give the listener a feeling of security, for it symbolizes the place where he was born, his earliest childhood satisfactions, his religious experience, his pleasure in community doings, his courtship and his work - any or all of these personality-shaping experiences.” Alan Lomax - American Anthropologist-1959
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Get into the Smoky Mountain Spirit(s)! Sample the kind of hospitality only available in East Tennessee. Whether you like home brew, RC cola or sweet tea, you’ll find we have it all in this neck of the woods. So grab a Moon Pie and a drink and settle down for some good old-fashioned fun.
Field Trips - Sunday, August 21 This year’s field trips showcase some of the magic of the Smokies. That said, the only access to some magical sites is on foot. Be aware that some of these are strenuous activities – please read the descriptions carefully to decide which one is right for you. Expect all trips to last all day with the exception of the Ijams Nature Center trip. You will pack lunches ahead of time and transportation will be provided.
Old-growth Hike
Seventy-five percent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park was logged during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, there were some pockets that were too steep, hidden, or otherwise inaccessible, and these remain as some of the last examples of old-growth forests in the southern Appalachians. Join Tremont’s executive director Ken Voorhis and photographer for the Smokies field guide to trees on a hike to Albright Grove, an awesome piece of old-growth forest with some monster trees. Along the way we will identify trees, wander the forest primeval, and experience its wonders. Highlights: forest types, big trees Details: All day—departs at 8:30 am returns by 5:30 pm, 7 mile hike, 1500’ elevation gain Driving time: 2 hour total driving time Fee: $40 Difficulty Level: 5 out of 5
High Country Exploration
To understand the biodiversity of the Smokies, you need to experience the profound changes in the ecosystem, partially as a result of the range of elevation. At the lowest elevations, you can find black gum swamps typical of the Southeast, while at the highest elevations you are in spruce and fir forests of the type found in northern New England and Canada! In between, you will find northern hardwood forests typical of the Northeast/Midwest, and more mixed deciduous forests of the mid-Atlantic, as well as other forest types. Take a drive with Tremont’s Special Programs Coordinator Jeremy Lloyd to visit and hike through many of these different ecosystems to see some of the range of life they support. Jeremy has worked at Tremont since 1996. As a natural and cultural history writer he has published a number of articles and books related to the Smokies. He also teaches Tremont’s three-day course on Southern Appalachian Mountain Ecology. Highlights: mountain vistas, forest types, high elevation species Details: All day—departs at 9:00 am returns by 5:30 pm, 2-3 mile hike Driving time: 2 hour total driving time Fee: $40 Difficulty Level: 3 out of 5
Cherokee!
For thousands of years, these mountains were home to the Cherokee nation who hunted, fished, and settled this area. During the 1830s, most of them were driven out of the East in the great tragedy now known as the Trail of Tears. Some remained hidden in the mountains and re-emerged to buy land and establish legal rights to this land that was theirs from time immemorial. Today the thriving town of Cherokee and the land of the Qualla Boundary boasts moving tributes to the Cherokee people. Immerse yourself in the complex culture and incredible history of these proud people in an all day trip to the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and the living history of the Oconaluftee Village. Highlights: museum, outdoor living history village Details: All day—departs at 9:00 am returns by 5:30 pm, 1 mile hike Driving time: 3 hour total driving time Fee: $50 Difficulty Level: 2 out of 5 17
Field Trips Continued
Ijams Nature Center
Located on the banks of the Tennessee River, Ijams has grown from humble beginnings in 1910 as a private bird sanctuary to an expansive 275-acre wildlife sanctuary and environmental learning center providing community-wide connections and experiences through education, conservation, recreation, and responsible environmental stewardship. As part of the 100th anniversary of the Ijams Family legacy, last year Ijams added a new 100-acre wonderland—the Ross Marble Natural Area, the second of two reclaimed former Tennessee marble quarries. Working with local mountain bike clubs, Ijams now accommodates new users via an extensive multi-use trail system connecting other natural areas, and as a result Ijams will soon be the hub of a new 20-mile loop trail system in south Knoxville. Spend the morning touring the visitor center, including a unique exhibit on Lost Species featuring the ivory-billed woodpecker and passenger pigeon, a new nature playscape for young children, the mysterious rock bridge and keyhole at the Ross Marble Quarry, and much more along the way. Details: Departs at 9:00 am, returns by 2:00 pm Note: this is not a Smoky Mountains destination Driving time: 2 hour roundtrip
Fee: $40 Difficulty Level: 2 out of 5
Smokies’ Cultural History
The land of Great Smoky Mountains National Park was owned by private citizens and lumber companies up until the 1930s. Acquiring the land for a park left a complex cultural history of sacrifice and vision. Take a ride with Tremont Naturalist Mary Silver who will transport you back in time to visit some significant cultural sites in the park. Sites could include historic buildings, homesites, schools, churches, and scenic vistas. Mary is a talented interpreter with a wealth of stories about the people who first settled the Great Smokies. Highlights: historic buildings, cultural history Details: All day—departs 9:00 am, returns 4:30 pm, 1-2 miles hiking Driving time: will vary – depends on destinations Fee: $40 Difficulty Level: 3 out of 5
Citizen Science in the Field
We like to tout our citizen science projects because of the unique way they help us achieve our mission of connecting people and nature. School students, teachers, and local volunteers all become scientists when they come to take part in one of these projects. Join Tiffany Beachy, Tremont’s citizen science coordinator, in the field to experience several of these citizen science projects firsthand. Highlights: citizen science details Details: All day—departs 9:00 am, returns 4:30 pm, 1-2 miles hiking Driving time: will vary – depends on destinations Fee: $40 Difficulty Level: 3 out of 5
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America’s most visited national park. The Smokies boasts over 1,600 species of flowering plants with forest communities ranging from rich cove hardwoods to high elevation boreal spruce and fir. Some 1,500 bears live in the park. From the big animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to 30 species of salamanders, the Smokies have the most biological diversity of any area in the world’s temperate zone. GSMNP also has a rich cultural history. From the Cherokee Indians, to the Scotch-Irish settlers, this land was home to a variety of cultures and people. Over two million people each year travel to visit Cades Cove which is maintained as a historic area with many log buildings preserved, and open meadows that provide striking mountains vistas, and opportunities for viewing wildlife. With over 800 miles of trails and 730 miles of fish-bearing streams, the Smokies are an exceptional place in which to naturalize and explore! Elevations in the park range from approximately 875 feet to 6,643 feet. Temperatures can easily vary 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit from mountain base to top. August afternoon highs are generally in the 90s in the lower elevations. Evening lows are usually comfortable with readings in the 60s and 70s. The wispy, smoke-like fog that hangs over the Smoky Mountains comes from rain and evaporation from trees and gives the park its nickname of the Smokies or, as the Cherokee called it, Shaconage – “the place of blue smoke.”
Townsend
At the northwest entrance to the national park, Townsend is known as “the peaceful side of the Smokies,” and the “back porch of Cades Cove.” It sits in the foothills 45 minutes south of Knoxville, TN and 30 minutes from the Knoxville airport (TYS). Craft shops, restaurants, a heritage museum, railroad museum, and a bike and walking trail, provide visitor amenities and a comfortable transition from urban to rural to the wild. Tremont is another 10 minutes and about 5 miles inside the national park boundary. The ride to Cherokee, NC, is a wonderful hour drive that winds along the Little River and then over the crest of the mountains through the national park, and then descends to Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Mountain Farm Museum. In Cherokee, there are a variety of shops and an excellent museum and living village that portray the story of the Cherokee people.
Want to read up on the Smokies? Recommended Reading List •
A Natural History Guide: Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Rose Houk
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A Natural History Guide: Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Don Linzey
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Hollows, Peepers, and Highlanders – George Constantz
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Strangers in High Places – Michael Frome The Cades Cove Story – Randolph Shields
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Wildwoods Wisdom – Doug Elliott
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The Cherokees – Grace Steele Woodward
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