Join us for the 2021 ANROSP Conference, September 28-30, 2021. This year, we will explore a new theme “Climate Change Education: The Role of Outreach and Service Programs.” Join your peers from across the country as we explore how outreach and service programs are integrating climate change education into their curriculum. The 2021 conference is hosted by the University of California’s California Naturalist Program which launched a new UC Climate Stewards certification course in 2019. Keynote speakers include Dr. Julian Reyes, National Coordinator of the USDA Climate Hubs network and Dr. Amy Lethbridge, Chief of Staff at the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.  

The conference will take place on Zoom over 3 days (Sept 28-30) from 10 AM-2 PM Pacific Daylight Time with short breaks built into the agenda.

Make plans to join the 2021 ANROSP Conference September 28-30, 2021. This year, we will build on the last conference’s online road trip as we explore a new theme “Climate Change Education: The Role of Outreach and Service Programs.” Join your peers from across the country as we explore how outreach and service programs are integrating climate change education into their curriculum. The 2021 conference will be hosted by the University of California’s California Naturalist Program which launched a new UC Climate Stewards certification course in 2019.

Keynote speakers include Dr. Julian Reyes, National Coordinator of the USDA Climate Hubs network (opening), and Dr. Amy Lethbridge, Chief of Staff at the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (closing).  

Registration Link coming SOON

CALL for 2021 National Conference Volunteers

This year, conference support will be provided by the UCANR Program Support Unit so ANROSP members can focus on learning and engaging with members. There are three roles that we are looking for volunteers to support:

1.      Early Bird and Night Owl Networking Session Facilitators:Prior to start and immediately after each day’s formal sessions, optional networking sessions will offer an agenda-free zone designed as an informal way to connect or meet up with colleagues.

2.      Zoom Interactives: To help us keep things lively and fill in any gaps, we are soliciting your best quick Zoom activities or interactives. If you have a short 5 minute activity or icebreaker, let us know and we'll try to plug it in as time permits.

3.      Workshop Co-Presenters: Finally, if you are interested in co-presenting as part of a workshop team, please contact the workshop lead for more information.

Contact Greg Ira (gcira@ucanr.edu) if you are interested in volunteering or have an activity to share.

Call for video abstracts   

Member Programs: submit a Climate Change Observations VIDEO!

Similar to last year, members are invited to submit a short (6 minutes max this year) video addressing the prompt, “How is climate change affecting your state and how is your program responding to those changes?” The deadline to submit a video is Thursday, September 16th, 2021. Videos must be pre-recorded and submitted in advance. Videos will be shown “live” online during the conference, followed by Q&A with the program representatives.  This is an excellent opportunity to participate in the conference. 

If you have any questions please contact etfreutel@ucanr.edu

Hints:

• We encourage you to create a FUN, INTERESTING, and EDUCATIONAL video! Show us some interesting ecosystems, plants, animals, geologic, or historical features in your region. What would other “naturalists” across the country want to learn about climate change at your location?
• Be CREATIVE and RESOURCEFUL; recruit some charismatic and energetic “hosts” to guide us on a tour. Keep it natural - outdoor, interactive, unscripted, and live-action videos are preferred; narrated PowerPoint slides can be utilized strategically, and it is OK to clip together a “slide-show” of high-quality photo images, or multiple videos from different volunteers around your state.
• NOTE: It is absolutely OK to use some existing video clips, but this should not be solely an existing ‘promo' or 'recruitment' video for your program; remember the audience  and the prompt

Guidelines:

• 1 video submission per attending organization; all organizations are encouraged to submit. 
• 6 minutes max for full-length climate change observations.
• Q&A will take place live online during the conference
• At least 1 representative from the program should plan to be in “attendance” during the Climate Change Observations session in which the video will be shown.
• Please use one of the following digital video formats: MP4, MOV, MPEG4, AVI. Videos will be uploaded to the ANROPS YouTube channel for public viewing.
• If using music, please use public domain music, as to not infringe on anyone’s copyrights, or get permission from the artist and note that at the end of your video (if using your own original music, please share that info either at the end or the beginning of your workshop video).
• Clearly introduce your program and location at the beginning of the video.
• Remember the purpose is to provide professional learning for a diverse group. Please be inclusive in your language. Please be mindful of what may be in the background of your video as well and make sure you are presenting ANROSP, yourself, your program, and your community in a positive light.

Submitting Your Video:

• Please email Eliot Freutel at etfreutel@ucanr.edu to coordinate uploading your video via a google drive link, Box account, etc.
• Deadline to upload your video is Thursday, September 16th, 2021, earlier uploads are encouraged.
• If >1 video is submitted per program, it will be considered on a space-available basis and may be made available to conference participants to view outside of the designated agenda.
• By submitting your video, you are giving ANROSP permission to use it for this conference, post it publically on YouTube, as well as use in the future for the needs of the organization. ANROSP reserves the right to not use submitted videos if they do not align with our organization’s mission.

If you have any questions please contact etfreutel@ucanr.edu

Accepting 2022 ANROSP Awards Nominations May 1 - Aug 15

Nominations in the following ANROSP Awards categories will be accepted MAY 1 through AUG 15:

• Outstanding Educational Materials
• Outstanding Program Evaluation
• Outstanding Team
• Outstanding Volunteer Project
• Program of the Year

Please use the link below to access our GoogleForm to submit a nomination for an annual ANROSP Award, and note that self-nominations are accepted. Please limit nomination to one award category per member program. Provide copies of the materials where appropriate via links to online materials in your response (preferred) or submit files via email to jrafey@umd.edu. Questions? Please email Joy Rafey at jrafey@umd.edu

GoogleForm Link:  https://forms.gle/zEbAWQ7KwPHBibEx5

Also recruiting Awards Committee Members, so if you would like to serve on the Awards Committee, please email Joy Rafey at jrafey@umd.edu

Each year at the ANROSP National Conference, member programs are recognized with awards for outstanding programs, educational materials, volunteer projects, program evaluations, and/or outstanding teamwork. We are pleased to announce our award winners for 2020:

Outstanding Educational Materials: Nature Stewards Program, Victoria, Australia

Consider nominating yourself or a colleague for a 2021 Award! Nomination instructions can be found on the ANROSP website; the deadline is each August.

Join us on our "Virtual Roadtrip". We'll caravan to several main attractions to discuss current events and how ANROSP programs can best support each other. During our journey we'll be visiting scenic overlooks to view the beautiful landscapes conserved by our member programs and enjoy some fun car games to network and engage with each other.

The conference will take place over 3 days (Sept 22-24) with 4 hours each day (1pm-5pm Eastern Daylight Time).  We will take the journey together “live” online using video conference technology (e.g., Zoom); all participants will need a computer with reliable internet connection and video/audio capacity.  Each day will contain 3 sessions.  Member attendees are encouraged to participate in all sessions if possible; but there will be an option to register for individual sessions as well.  A detailed agenda will be posted soon; here’s what to look forward to:

·        Roadtrip Rendezvous – Let’s warm up our engines as we come together for the annual member meeting, including reports from the board of directors and Q&A from members.  The Rendezvous will include a keynote and presentation of our annual awards.

·        Main Attractions – These interactive workshops are being organized by the ANROSP Board of Directors with the goal to support member programs and ANROSP as a unifying organization. Workshops are only open to current ANROSP members.  Topics include: 1) Assessing the needs of ANROSP member programs, 2) Diversity and inclusion in natural resource and stewardship programs, 3) Opportunity for multi-state collaborations, and 4) Adapting to new delivery techniques.

·        Scenic Overlooks – We’ll pull over to take in the sights at different locations around the country as we watch videos submitted by member programs highlighting the ecosystems they help conserve and showcasing their program’s accomplishments.  Videos will be pre-recorded, and shown “live” online during the conference, followed by Q&A with the program representatives.  Scenic overlooks sessions will occur throughout each day.

·        Networking – A valued highlight of ANROSP national conferences is the opportunity to network with colleagues.  The start and end of each day will include some fun “car games” to help us get energized and engaged with each other. We will also plan small group breakouts and interactive discussions during the workshops.

There will be a small registration “toll” to join this year’s conference, allowing members to attend the full conference (12 hours and 4 workshops).  Registration details will be announced soon -please mark your calendar. Registration open August 25th.

Visit the conference page for details

Each year at our National Conference, ANROSP member programs are recognized with awards for program, educational materials, volunteer project, program evaluation, and outstanding teamwork.  Members are encouraged to nominate themselves, their program, group or volunteers for these annual awards. Award applications are due August 31^st. The winners will be announced at the conference and invited to deliver a brief presentation describing their achievements. More information and submission instructions can be found on the conference website.

There are 5 ANROSP Award categories.

Program of the Year- last 12 months of the program's history considered.

Outstanding Educational Materials- evaluated on: content, editing, graphics/soundtrack, Design

Outstanding Volunteer Project- Natural resources management, education, research, partners, and sustainability

Outstanding Program Evaluation- Documentation, Yearly comparisons, Evaluations for all aspects of program, Evaluation results, Repeatability

Outstanding Team- Leadership, Dedication, Creativity, Synergy, Evaluation, Performance, Other factors

Awards are given to member programs. Please nominate today. 

Visit: https://anrosp.wildapricot.org/National-Conference (scroll to bottom of page)

Deadline to submit award applications: August 31, 2020

The 2020 National Conference will still occur on September 22-24th. 

In lieu of gathering together in person this fall, the ANROSP Board of Directors and 2020 Conference Committee are now considering alternative options. We are still dedicated to providing an exciting, fun, and worthwhile experience for our annual conference.

Check back for details and stay tuned for updates!

Contact ANROSP Vice President and Conference Chair, Dr. Shelly Johnson, with questions or comments.

Click here and search by state to find program and training information near you.