Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday
February 24–26, 2021
An online convening of nature connection school leaders and staff designed to support the healthy, regenerative growth of our work.
Join leaders and staff from Nature Connection organizations throughout North America this February for our 6th annual conference where we will exchange best practices, strengthen our vision, and re-energize ourselves while connecting with peers and fellow nature connection leaders.
Join us for an interactive online conference designed for administrative staff, board members, and program staff.
The Nature Connection Leadership Conference provides your entire team with opportunities to learn from colleagues and to tap into collective genius.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
Whether you’re in the forest or in the office, you will have opportunities throughout the conference to consider ways our work can center around justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Learn from stories of successes and challenges organizations are facing in their JEDI work. Tap into the wisdom of our elders and peers for conversations you won’t want to miss.
Strategies To Navigate This Time
Sessions will explore strategies and tools for excellence throughout your organization. Topics under consideration include: human development, fundraising, strategic planning, budgeting, equity councils, cohesion between admin & program teams, and more. Learn how others are finding resilience during these challenging times.
Prepare For New Opportunities
Learn how other organizations are building partnerships with schools and their communities in order to expand nature connection. Explore ways you can leverage the challenges of today to provide impactful and essential services to your community. Connect with peers for opportunities to develop relationships that can sustain you through times of uncertainty.
Cross Pollinate Your Programming
Sessions will provide opportunity for cross-pollination and learning from other organizations and field staff about how they have successfully navigated challenges that may be relevant in your work. Soak up inspiration and enhance your programming as you learn from peers throughout North America.
Interested in seeing a particular topic at the conference? Want to be a presenter or have someone else in mind?
Click here to submit a draft session proposal today.
Participate live during the conference or watch recordings at your leisure.
Tickets give you access to recordings until March 15, 2021.
Schedule below may be subject to change. Stay tuned for more session details.
| EST | PST | Wednesday, February 24 |
|---|---|---|
| 11am | 8am | Opening Circle |
| 11:45am | 8:45am | Meet & Greet |
| 12pm | 9am | -Session 1- |
| 1pm | 10am | Lunch Break |
| 2pm | 11am | -Session 2- |
| 3:30pm | 12:30pm | Open Space Sessions |
| 4:30pm | 1:30pm | -Session 3- |
| 6pm | 3pm | Dinner Break |
| 7pm | 4pm | Native Panel |
| EST | PST | Thursday, February 25 |
|---|---|---|
| 11am | 8am | Open Space Sessions |
| 11:30am | 8:30am | -Session 4- |
| 1pm | 10am | Lunch Break |
| 2pm | 11am | -Session 5- |
| 3pm | 12pm | Meet & Greet |
| 3:30pm | 12:30pm | Open Space Sessions |
| 4:30pm | 1:30pm | -Session 6- |
| 6pm | 3pm | Dinner Break |
| 7pm | 4pm | Social Hour & Music |
| EST | PST | Friday, February 26 |
|---|---|---|
| 11am | 8am | Open Space Sessions |
| 11:30am | 8:30am | -Session 7- |
| 1pm | 10am | Lunch Break |
| 2pm | 11am | -Session 8- |
| 3pm | 12pm | Debrief & Next Steps |
| 3:30pm | 12:30pm | Closing Ceremony |
Our conference is flexibly priced so everyone can be included.
Buying for your organization? Learn more about group discounts and sponsorship opportunities.
Buying a ticket for yourself? Choose the ticket level that best fits your ability to support our collective work.
Benefactor Price – $219
Cover the true cost of the conference and give a little extra to support our BIPOC reparations efforts and provide discounts for those who wouldn’t be able to attend.
True Cost – $119
Enable us to cover our expenses; supporting presenters and technology costs.
Discounted Price – $69
Help cover some of our costs while you receive a discount.
Need further discounting in order to attend?
If you need additional discounting in order to attend, we recommend that you apply for financial assistance as early as possible.
We cannot guarantee that every request will result in a scholarship. Please be assured, however, that we will do our best to help you attend the Nature Connection Leadership Conference.
Reparations Awards for BIPOC Individuals & BIPOC-Led Organizations
Recognizing that many of the systems within which nature connection work is nested are built on the stolen land and/or stolen labor of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and people of color, we are committed to the work of repair.
We support equity and justice by making rights, resources, and representation accessible and honoring the ongoing labor of Black/Indigenous people of color {BIPOC} to bring leadership and skill to this work as we heal divides and restore balance to all people and the Earth.
In service to our goal of approaching Decolonization from a healing perspective, at all of the Nature Connection Network’s programming, we offer Reparation Awards to self-identified BIPOC individuals and organizations who are working toward equity in nature connection programming.
This is not a scholarship fund, and we do not assume that individual BIPOC applicants do not have access to wealth—these reparations are offered with an attempt at integrity and a prayer for collective liberation. All are additionally welcome to apply for scholarship funds to offset costs of attendance, regardless of identity, and reception of a Reparation Award does not disqualify you from receiving further scholarship support if needed.
If you identify as a BIPOC individual please select the ticket price below that best suits your ability to support the conference.
The Reparations Award: Benefactor Price enables you to receive a $50 reparations award while also supporting the conference, providing financial aid for others.
The Reparations Award: True Cost enables you to cover the true cost of the conferences less your $50 reparations award.
The Reparations Award: Discounted Price enables you to receive a $50 reparations award as well as an additional financial aid.
The 2021 NCLC is hosted by the Nature Connection Network in conjunction with the Earth Skills Alliance. The conference organizing is a collaboration with 4 Elements Earth Education, Coyote Programs, ERAFANS, Everyone Outside, Guelph Outdoor School, Kindred of Sangoma, Living Earth School, Lynn Trotta Mentoring, Trackers Earth, Two Coyotes Wilderness School, Vermont Wilderness School, Vilda, and Village Hearth Initiative.
Connect more of your organization.
Buy a group package today.
Buy group tickets, save money, support collaboration, and get featured as a sponsor.
5 Tickets + Sponsorship
$550
10 Tickets + Sponsorship
$1,050
15 Tickets + Sponsorship
$1,500
20 Tickets + Sponsorship
$1,900
Pre-purchase a group package and we’ll send you a private link that you can share with your team so they can enroll in the conference at no cost to themselves.
Available for a limited time only. Group packages will no longer be available after February 10, 2021.
Your purchase of a group package directly supports reparations efforts as well as scholarships for those who otherwise couldn’t afford to attend.
As a sponsor, your logo, hyperlinked to your website, will be displayed prominently on the main reception page, visible to attendees throughout the conference.
Sponsors are also invited to join our digital expo where your organization can show off. The expo booths allow you to:
- Share a featured video or a livestream where you can talk to attendees in your booth
- Live chat with attendees as they visit your expo booth to grow your community & find collaborators
- Collect emails through the “sign up feature”
- Display a banner image to promote growth and visibility for your organization
- Drive traffic to your website, your online store, or social media accounts
The Nature Connection Leadership Conference is hosted by the Nature Connection Network.
The Nature Connection Network’s mission is to encourage and support the healthy growth of nature connection organizations and their leaders in building resilient, regenerative, and just communities.
Throughout the year, the Nature Connection Network provides a listserve, webinars, and other modes of connecting to uplift the work of our members. Interested in joining? Learn more.
Connecting Peers
Strengthen your organization and prevent burnout through supportive relationships with your fellow leaders.
Access Experience
Learn from the seasoned know-how of other organizations. The experience of other teams is an invaluable resource.
Build on Resources
Address challenges and build capacity quickly by not starting from scratch. Stop re-inventing the wheel.
Collaborate and Lead
Share your expertise and support nature connection beyond your organization. A rising tide lifts all ships.
History of the Nature Connection Leadership Conference
The NCLC is a collaborative event with participants presenting on a variety of topics. Presentations range from didactic powerpoints to interactive discussions and –when we’re in person– outdoor adventure.
Reconnect with a community of nature connection leaders.
Remember our original visions for our school, and reflect on our triumphs and challenges.
Reenergize ourselves, sharing inspiring stories, uplifting songs, and time outdoors.
Renew our commitment to nature connection and to sustaining vibrant, healthy organizations that make our work possible.
The conference has filled every year, register early to reserve your space.
2020: Year Five
In 2020, the conference included 90 leaders from 43 nature connection organizations throughout North America. We continued our focus on cultural appropriation and expanded the conversation to look at inclusivity and equity.
2019: Year Four
In 2019, the conference included 49 leaders from 28 nature connection schools throughout North America. We were honored to hear Native perspectives on cultural appropriation and together, we began to outline practical ways we can incorporate Native views and recommendations into our nature connection work.
2018: Year Three
In 2018, the conference grew to include 49 leaders from 25 nature connection schools throughout North America (including three schools from Canada). At the 2018 conference, Native leaders and wilderness school directors took a deep dive into conversations about what it means for nature connection organizations to be allies to Native peoples.
2017: Year Two
In 2017, the conference grew to include 46 leaders from 23 nature connection schools throughout North America. Topics included best practices around core topics such as fundraising & budgeting and expanded conversations about decolonization and what it means for us to be allies to other communities.
2016: Year One
In 2016, leaders from Wild Earth, Two Coyotes, Sassafras Earth Education, and EarthWalk Vermont invited nature connection schools throughout the northeast to come together and focus on strengthening their organizations. The 3-day conference was a big success, 42 leaders from 19 Northeast schools delved into best practices around fundraising, budgeting, marketing, and more.
Want to know what you’ve missed?
Below are some of our past conference offerings. Sign up for the upcoming conference and join us as we level-up our nature connection work together.
2020 Workshops
Hosted by: the Nature Connection Network in collaboration with Wild Earth, 8 Shields Institute, Guelph Outdoor School, Vermont Wilderness School, Sagefire Institute, Two Coyotes Wilderness School, Sassafras Earth Education, Vashon Wilderness Program, and The Wildwood Path.
Awakening to the Realities of Our Uncomfortable Future with Aviva Argote, Trevanna Grenfell, and Mark Morey
Doing The Work: Equity in Nature Connection Organizations – A Guided Discussion with Andy Franjevic, and Shivani Gogna, and Christine Larsen
Open Game Slam with the Acorn
Native Panel with Ramona Nosapocket Peters (Mashpee Wampanoag Nation), Stephanie Morning Star (Oneida Nation), Carol Kawisente McGreggor (Bear Clan Chief, from the Kanien’kehá:ka nation [5 Nations Confederacy]), David Two Arrows Vanderhoop (Aquinnah Wampanoag Nation)
Nature Connection For ALL: Programs In Public Schools & Marginalized Communities with David Brownstein, Jonathan Gonzalez and Ana Jimenez
The Nature-Connected Office: Applying principles from the field to liberate time, tasks and relationships in the workplace with Kai Northcott and Ash Young
New Relationships with Native Land, Empowering Reparation with Ramona Nosapocket Peters (Mashpee Wampanoag) and Stephanie Morning Star (Oneida)
Interconnectedness Through Cultural Understanding with Kawisente McGreggor
Nourishing (Extended) Family Nature Connection with Aviva Argote, Robert Riman, and Aya Argote-Riman
Them, Us, and We: Conversations Waiting to Be Had about Racism in Nature Connection with Sangoma Oludoye
Strategic Planning Skills for Healthy Organizational Development with Trevanna Grenfell, Maggie Gotterer, and Stacey Hinden
Infant, Toddler, and Kinder Forest Tactics with Bessie Jones
2019 Workshops
Hosted by:Wild Earth, Sassafras Earth Education, Vermont Wilderness School, Sagefire Institute
A Discussion on Compensation and Benefits
Peacemaker Principles
Kawisente McGregor
Decolonization Panel
David & Saskia Vanderhoop, Kawisente, Sachem HawkStorm, & Evan Mitak
Cultural Appropriation & Decolonization: Strategies for Your Programs and Approaches
Financial Aid: Strategies for Equity & Inclusion
Simon Abramson & Sarah Nason
Fundraising: Asking for Money (Not for Spectators)
David Brownstein
Nature Connection Network
Developing New Qualified Field Staff: A Dialogue of Approaches
Amy Hyatt
Nature Connection & Mentoring in Public Schools
Atiya Wells and David Brownstein
2018 Workshops
Hosted by: Wild Earth, Sassafras Earth Education, Vermont Wilderness School, Eartharts Ithaca
Board Basics & Beyond
Dan Gardoqui
Building Capacity through Community Partnerships
David Brownstein & Anika Klem
Building Reciprocity with Native Communities: Towards Decolonizing Nature Education
Trevanna Grenfell, Daniel Vargas, & Connor Stedman
Data Tracking for Effective Storytelling
Simon Abramson & Sam Stegeman
Decolonizing Panel Presentation & Discussion
David Vanderhoop, Kawisente McGregor, & Vincent Mann
Matrilineal Societies: Cross Referencing the Peacemaking Principles From a Female Perspective
Kawisente McGregor
Raising Bigger Money from Individual Donors and Foundations
David Brownstein & Rovika Rajkishun
The Nature Connection Leadership Network
What About The Parents?
Arlene Slocombe & Chris Green
2017 Workshops
Hosted by: Wild Earth, Sassafras Earth Education, Vermont Wilderness School, EarthWalk Vermont
Culture of Mentoring & Apprenticeship: Developing Future Staff From Past Participants
Angella Gibbons & John Chiltowski
Getting Serious about Fundraising
David Brownstein
Growing Awareness & Opening Conversations around Racial & Social Injustice
David Vanderhoop & Saskia Vanderhoop
Nature Connection and Peacemaking in a Post-2016 Election Environment
Amy Hyatt & Connor Stedman
Organizational & Program Budgeting
David Brownstein& Kate Yoemans
Program Design Workshop
Julie Kulik & Amy Hyatt
Reaching Under-Served & Urban Youth, Schools & Community Groups
David Brownstein & Justin Pegnataro
Strategies for Strong Enrollment, Retention, & Customer Relations
John Chiltowski & Simon Abramson
The NCL Network: Let’s Work Together!
Angella Gibbons & Sam Stegeman
Using Mentoring Principles to Run Your Organization
Dan Gardoqui
We Are Nature Rising
Mark Morey
2016 Workshops
Hosted by: Wild Earth, Two Coyotes, Sassafras Earth Education, EarthWalk Vermont
Accessible to All: Nature Connection for Everyone
Bringing the Vision to Life: Organizational Storytelling
Budgeting, Achieving & Reporting Your Financial Results to Your Board and the Public
Creating an Active & Engaged Support Team, Board, Council of Advisors
Fundraising Success: Expanding Sources of Financial Abundance
Integrating Technology into Your Organization
Leadership Self Care
Program Development & Design
Regenerative Governance & Decision Making
Regenerative Staffing: Hiring, Compensating, Evaluating & Promoting Staff
Success & Sustainability through the Power of Relationship Marketing