If you have expertise, experience, or a success story that nature center leaders could learn from, consider submitting an article to Directions, ANCA’s biannual digital journal.
We publish articles that explore trends in our profession, current resources for managers, or stories of strong organizational leadership. If you’re an ANCA member or Business Partner, this is an excellent opportunity to share your organization's accomplishments and demonstrate leadership within the field.
To submit an article, you need to be a current ANCA member; staff, board member, or volunteer at an ANCA Organization Member; or ANCA Business Partner. Articles from Business Partners must showcase a project or connection to an ANCA member. If you’re not a current member or partner, see our membership levels and Business Partner packages.
What can my article be about?
Article topics may relate to any aspect of nature center and outdoor school operations. This could include (but is not limited to):
Advocacy and civic engagement
Capital campaigns
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Endowments and investing
Exhibit planning
Marketing and communications
Membership programs
Nature playscape construction
Partnerships
Program management
Risk management
Staffing
Strategic and master planning
Working with a board of directors
Workplace environments
Who is the audience?
Our audience comprises directors, managers, and professionals interested in leadership at nature centers, outdoor schools, and related organizations. Articles should be directly relevant to this particular audience.
Because of this audience, we especially welcome an administrative perspective to submission articles. For instance, if an article is about an organizational accomplishment like a successful program or service, the article should address how the organization administratively achieved this.
Submission Process
1. Express interest in submitting an article. We’ll contact you regarding the possibilities for publication. If your article idea is accepted, we'll give a suggested word length and guidance for your topic.
2. Send us an article draft and relevant photos by the submission deadline.
3. Within two weeks we’ll send you an edited version of the article for your approval. We may ask you to clarify certain points or provide additional content.
Additional Information
Deadlines
Submission deadlines for article drafts and photos are:
- Spring 2024 — March 29
- Fall 2024 — September 27
- Spring 2025 — March 21
Article Length
Submission articles are typically between 800 and 2,000 words. Once you submit an idea for an article, we will recommend an approximate word length for your specific topic.
Pictures
When you submit a draft of your article, please also include 3-5 pictures that are relevant to your article. From these options we will select pictures for final publication with the article.
Interested?
Whether you have a general topic idea or know exactly what you want to write about, we'll be happy to talk with you about the possibilities. To express interest and share your idea, click the button below.
Examples of Submissions
See these past submissions as examples of article content and formatting:
- Cultivating Shared Leadership
- Actions Always Prove Why Words Mean Nothing
- Putting Staff First: Personnel Policy Overhaul
- Cultivating Community Through Membership at the Louisville Nature Center
- Tremont Equips Teachers to Take the Classroom Outside
Questions?
If you have a question about any part of the Directions submission process, reach out to ANCA Director of Marketing & Communications Asa Duffee at .