| Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals
Monthly Digest May 2025 |
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In this edition -
President's column
- Last chance to register - ANREP annual meeting and awards ceremony
- New ANREP promotional toolkit
- Branding webinar
- ANREP professional development webinar series continues
- Strengthening Conservation Through Education and Partnership
- ANREP Excellence in Natural Resources Extension and Service Award winner
- New ANREP jobs board listings
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President's Corner... Kevin Zobrist ANREP President 2025 |
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As natural resource Extension professionals, our excellent adventure has become a bit of a bogus journey of late. The past few months have been disruptive, to say the least. Land Grant and Sea Grant universities are being significantly impacted by the cutting or freezing of federal grants, directly impacting many of our programs. We are also impacted both directly and indirectly by cuts to the federal agencies we work closely with, including NIFA, NOAA, USFS, and FEMA, to name a few. Many of the colleagues that we regularly work with and rely on at these agencies have lost their jobs, and others have gone radio silent. AmeriCorps volunteers embedded with our federal, state, and local partners, as well as in our own offices, have had their programs terminated. Some of you are facing the loss of your own jobs. Most of us know at least one person who has lost all or part of their appointment amid the cuts and freezes. It is not just federal funding that is being cut. Cuts are happening at the state level as well. Some states, including mine, have implemented freezes on things like travel, hiring, and purchases, which directly impact Extension programs. The impacts are widespread and continue to accumulate...
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Last chance to register
2025 ANREP Annual Online Meeting and Awards Ceremony Wednesday, May 21
3:00 pm Eastern |
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Keynote Presentation From “Best Kept Secret” to Spotlight: the Discover Alabama Extension Campaign Mike Clardy Director for Communications, Strategic Marketing, and Client Relations
Alabama Cooperative Extension System Auburn University | | Join ANREP members via Zoom for this special event. Hear updates about your association and recognize the accomplishments of your peers from around the nation.
Learn from Mike Clardy how Alabama Extension launched a successful campaign to promote its work through a multi-prong approach. Extension personnel across the country often discuss how to raise the visibility of Extension and understanding of their work throughout their states. This presentation will include an overview of the campaign, impact results, lessons learned and ideas that are relevant to both your state and individual Extension programming. |
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New resources! Recruit ANREP members at your state Extension meetings By Leslie Boby ANREP President-elect ANREP’s members are often recruited by their colleagues who are current members and enthusiastic about our association. However, we can take that a step farther and promote ANREP at your next region-wide or state-wide Extension meeting or training event!
How, you ask? A new ANREP promotion toolkit is now available for members, just use your username (your email) to login. See these items: - 2’x 3’ ANREP Recruitment Poster (with QR Code)
- short ANREP introductory PowerPoint presentation
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1-inch diameter round ANREP stickers for use on conference name tags or printed material
- Learn about ANREP form link and QR code
- ANREP publications and website color palette
- ANREP 2026 Biennial Conference promotional items
Both the poster, presentation and stickers can be edited however you like. Adapt the presentation or poster to adapt them to fit your state, such as including pictures of your state’s ANREP members engaged in cool activities!
Questions or ideas of how to do this better or want to share your recruitment techniques? Contact ANREP Executive Secretary Dean Solomon. |
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Upcoming professional development opportunities |
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Webinar announcement
(Fits well with the above article about the ANREP promotion toolkit!)
Intro to Branding: What It Is and Why It’s Important For Natural Resources! Sponsored by Southern Region Extension Forestry Jasmin El Farnawany
Marketing & Communications
Southern Regional Extension Forestry May 29, 2025, 2:00 pm Eastern
Strong branding isn't just for big companies, it's a powerful tool for forestry & natural resource professionals, too. In this presentation on branding basics, you'll learn what it means to clearly communicate the value of your work, whether you're sharing research, promoting an Extension or outreach program, managing nurseries, or leading restoration efforts.
This webinar will give you an overview of the essentials of building a professional, trustworthy brand that resonates with landowners, partners, and the broader public. We will discuss how to shape your mission statement, create meaningful taglines, and maintain a consistent voice and visual identity, online and in the field.
Designed specifically with natural resource professionals in mind, this presentation will help you better understand how to strengthen your outreach, build credibility, and increase the impact of your programs. |
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| 2025 ANREP webinar series continues this fall
Reaching Your Target Audience & Providing Innovative Programs
Join expert speakers in this popular series this fall as they share contemporary tools and techniques for enhancing media communication and delivering novel programs. Four webinars are scheduled from September through October. Knowledge gained can be applied to various fields, initiatives, and organizations. Each 30-minute interactive live webinar awards one door prize. See previously recorded webinars in this series, too. |
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Strengthening Conservation Through Education and Partnership: Penn State Extension's Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training |
By Chis Canfield
Penn State Extension As natural resource Extension professionals, ANREP members are often involved in technical assistance, ag literacy programming, conservation planning, and funding navigation. Penn State Extension's Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training offers tools, training, and resources that align with and support these roles, making it a valuable partner and model for conservation educators nationwide. |
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| ANREP Award Winner
2025 Excellence in Natural Resources Extension and Service Award Sanford S. Smith, Penn State University |
Sanford “Sandy” Smith has led a distinguished career in natural resources Extension combined with a long record of service. Along with conducting years of effective forestry and wildlife education programs for youth and adults, his past and current leadership roles include: ANREP NE Regional Rep. (2009-11) and the three ANREP presidential positions (2012-14). He also served as the first president (2020-22), Vice President (2024), and third President (2025) of the Natural Resources Extension Education Foundation. Sandy believes that by volunteering and taking on leadership roles, one grows and develops skills, but most importantly, serves and helps others.
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New postings on the ANREP jobs board | |
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