Texas Children in Nature Network Summit 2024

Welcome to the 2024 Texas Children in Nature Network Summit held in Waco, Texas!

After registering for the Summit and making your Wednesday Workshop selection, you will be enrolled in your selected workshop by TCiNN staff. You will see your workshop on your schedule after you have been enrolled.

You do not need to select and add your workshop to your schedule.
All workshops are "frozen" and only staff can manage enrollment.
If you do not see a workshop option on the registration form that is listed on the workshop PDF, that means it is full and no longer available.

Regular registration ends November 30.

Late registration begins December 1.

Once late registration begins, any cancellations will not be refunded.

Thank you for registering for the 2024 Summit!

10:30am CST

Connecting Hispanic Families with Nature in Central Texas: A capacity building workshop

Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am CST

Texas North 113

Are you a member of the Hispanic community in Texas? Does your organization serve Hispanics in this area or have a desire to reach them? If you answered YES to one of the questions please join us for this capacity-building workshop. We will briefly share A Rocha USA’s efforts to connect Hispanic families with nature through our program Picnics en el Arroyo and the lessons we learned along the way. We will dedicate time to hear about the participants' efforts to engage the Hispanic community, identify stakeholders, common goals and collaboration opportunities, and define next steps.

Speakers

Jennifer Ramirez

Veronica Godoy

Central Texas Conservation Project Director, A Rocha USA

Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am CST
Texas North 113

Concurrent Session, Community

1:00pm CST

Connect Families to Nature through the National Wildlife Federation's Community Wildlife Habitat Program

Thursday December 12, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST

Texas South 118

Learn how a small community is bringing families and children into the National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) Community Habitat certification process and how it lends itself to the Texas Children in Nature Network efforts to connect all Texas children to nature. NWF’s process to attain certification as a wildlife-friendly community works particularly well with small towns or neighborhoods who frequently say, “Our little town does not have the resources of the big cities -- how can we apply this to where we live?" Information will be shared about how participants can use the NWF program to benefit their own neighborhood or town.

Speakers

Linda Welsh

Early Childhood/Higher Education Consultant, Self

Dr. Linda Welsh is exploring where to put her energies in this next phase of her life. The preciousness of our connection to nature to heal and transform and the urgency to find ways for all to experience this connection is driving her exploration. While on the board of directors... Read More →

Rebecca Benz

Rebecca is a volunteer with the TCiNN 2022 Summit.

Thursday December 12, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
Texas South 118

Concurrent Session, Community

2:15pm CST

Down and Dirty Community Engagement: Developing shared leadership and decision-making with the communities you serve

Thursday December 12, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST

Texas North 113

Presenters: Jennifer Boley, Nature & Eclectic Outdoors - NEO, Dashaunda Richardson, Asuncion Sanchez

Learn from the Program Director of Healthy Outdoor Communities as well as residents from the Acres Homes and Third Ward, Houston communities about the nuts and bolts of what it takes to develop a shared leadership and decision-making model driven by the community, for the community. It isn't always smooth sailing, but it's the right thing to do, and when we draw on the strength and leadership of the communities we serve, the results are spectacular!

Speakers

Jennifer Boley

Director, Nature & Eclectic Outdoors and Healthy Outdoor Communities

NEO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping people of all ages and backgrounds lead more outdoor oriented lives for better health, happiness, and life balance. We have a variety of programs that teach outdoor skills and provide real world experiences for children, families... Read More →

Asuncion Sanchez

Founding Member, HOC Youth Leadership Council

Asuncion Sanchez, a Houston, Texas native and recent high school graduate holds a deep-rooted connection to nature. This bond was cultivated by his grandfather, a traditional farmer in Mexico. His grandfather introduced him to the wonder of the natural world through gardening, sowing... Read More →

Dashaunda Richardson

Thursday December 12, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST
Texas North 113

Concurrent Session, Community

3:45pm CST

Building Green Workforce Pipelines: Connecting Young Professionals with Community, State, and Federal Entities for Inclusive Environmental Solutions

Thursday December 12, 2024 3:45pm - 4:45pm CST

McLennan Hall

Presenters: Alicia Fontenot - Texas Children in Nature Network, Michael Valdez - National Wildlife Federation, Craig Gilden - Texas Department of State Health Services

Join us for "Building Green Workforce Pipelines: Connecting Young Professionals with Community, State, and Federal Entities." This workshop will focus on creating inclusive pathways for green workforce development in the Texas Gulf Coast region. Participants will explore strategies to overcome socioeconomic barriers and engage in hands-on activities, including reviewing success stories and developing actionable networking plans. By fostering connections and leveraging real-world examples, attendees will gain practical insights for enhancing career opportunities and diversifying the environmental sector. Ideal for professionals, educators, and community leaders committed to building a more inclusive and resilient green workforce.

Speakers

Michael Valdez

Alicia Fontenot

Gulf Coast Health & Nature Liaison, Texas Children in Nature Network

Alicia serves as the Health and Nature Liaison in the Gulf Coast Region for Texas Children in Nature Network. As a native Houstonian, she takes pride in her city’s cultural diversity and growing environmental awareness. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Texas Southern... Read More →

Thursday December 12, 2024 3:45pm - 4:45pm CST
McLennan Hall

Concurrent Session, Community

3:45pm CST

Empowering Youth Voices through Photovoice: Insights from the Pharr Youth Photovoice Research Study

Thursday December 12, 2024 3:45pm - 4:45pm CST

Texas South 117

Join us for a workshop exploring youth advocacy and the environment. The University of Texas Planet 2050 team led the Pharr Youth Photovoice Research Study in Spring 2023, empowering youth in Pharr, Texas, to document their outdoor experiences through photography. This workshop will showcase their insights and emphasize the importance of youth voices in addressing environmental challenges. Participants will learn about the Photovoice methodology and its role in storytelling and advocacy. The event will also feature insights from the Texas Children in Nature Network Partnership, promoting connections with nature for healthier communities.

Speakers

Janice Hagerman

Marisa Oliva

RGV Health & Nature Liaison, Texas Children in Nature Network

Marisa Oliva-Rodriguez serves as the Rio Grande Valley Health and Nature Liaison for the Texas Children in Nature and Network. She previously managed the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center, helping to establish it as one of the premier environmental education sites... Read More →

Thursday December 12, 2024 3:45pm - 4:45pm CST
Texas South 117

Concurrent Session, Community

Texas Children in Nature Network Summit 2024

From $45.00