| Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals
Monthly Digest April 2026 |
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In this edition - President's Corner
- We Need Silent Auction Items!
- Visit with NREEF at the ANREP Conference
- Call for Abstracts: Help shape the future of mental health ecosystems in the Cooperative Extension System
- The Leadership & Professional Development Committee has free training opportunities you don't want to miss!
- Biennial Conference Update
- New Native Plant Fact Sheets
- Empowering farmers, inspiring eaters, and cultivating a stronger local food future together
- Pollinator Programming in the Florida Keys Drives Participation in the Pollinator Census
- Biosecurity Procedures for Conservation Professionals
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ANREP Members Share Extension Programs with International Audience at the Smoke Symposium
- Light Up Learning: A Firefly Lifecycle Adventure
- Retirements - Amy Stone, The Ohio State University
- ANREP Jobs Board Postings
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| President's Corner...
Leslie Boby ANREP President 2026 |
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Two requests....
First, We want to see glamour shots of you and/or your work in action! For the upcoming biennial conference, I’m planning to share a slideshow showing our members at work. Please email me a picture or two. Feel free to add a descriptive title in the picture(s) or anything else you want to share. Any kinds of pictures are welcome- dazzle us with your long-shot sunrise seashore program or entertain us with a picture capturing the face that a program participant made when the turtle pooped on their hand…whatever you like! Feel free to share pics of your colleagues too (only their good pics though)!
We’d love to see your pictures, even if you can’t make it, and I’ll share the slide show after the conference as well.
Second, Can you take a few minutes to tell us what you think about the ANREP logo? As many of you know, the ANREP Executive Board is working with a graphic designer to update our logo- but your opinions matter! |
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Share your thoughts in this brief survey- none of the questions are required to be answered. We appreciate any feedback you are willing to share. Tell us what you like/don’t like about the current logo- what colors are appealing or not. Let us know about other logos that you have strong feelings about too! This is a time where you can say exactly what you want, even if you aren’t sure why you feel that way.
The designer will take our collective input and then put together two or three working designs for us to review. The designs will be debuted at the biennial conference- where all present can provide more feedback. The designs will also be emailed out for the same feedback from those who could not attend the meeting. After assessing the feedback, the Executive board will finalize the selection. If you want to be involved in these final discussions - let me know! |
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| We Need Silent Auction Items!
As in past conferences, there will be a Silent Auction at this year’s event, with proceeds benefiting the Natural Resources Extension Education Foundation (NREEF) and the ANREP scholarship program. Items will be collected at the registration desk on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, May 12-13, with bidding open by lunch on Wednesday. Think about donating items in good-new condition that could include, but not limited to, nature-themed books, artwork, jewelry, or items that are unique to your part of the country. Complete this form to donate items.
You don't have to attend the conference to donate. There are options to send your items to the conference location or mail to the auction winner after the conference. Please consider supporting your association with a contribution to this event! |
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| See you Soon! Visit with NREEF at the ANREP Conference |
The Natural Resources Extension Education Foundation (NREEF) will have a booth set up at the upcoming 2026 ANREP Meeting in North Carolina. We are the IRS approved charitable foundation born out of ANREP, and will be staging a "Bucket Auction" and assisting with the Silent Auction at the meeting - raising funds to support the meeting and ANREP's professional development travel scholarship fund. We hope you will stop by and participate in the auctions by donating silent auction items, bidding on items of interest, and buying "bucket raffle" tickets. And please share with us how you see NREEF supporting the important work you do.
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| Call for Abstracts: Help shape the future of mental health ecosystems in the Cooperative Extension System The Journal of Human Sciences and Extension (JHSE) invites natural resource professionals to submit abstracts for a Summer 2027 special issue: "Mental and Behavioral Health Ecosystems."
Natural resource extension agents often work in isolated rural areas where they are the primary "front door" for community support. This issue examines the critical role of the Cooperative Extension System (CES) in bridging gaps between research and local behavioral health delivery. We welcome submissions that explore innovative education programs, community partnerships, and the unique role of ANR/NR professionals in rural mental health ecosystems. Abstract Length: 250 words Submission Deadline: May 1, 2026 |
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Upcoming professional development opportunities |
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The Leadership & Professional Development Committee has free training opportunities you don't want to miss! |
In 2025, the Leadership and Professional Development Committee offered a series of free webinars focused on innovative ways to deliver programs and communicate effectively using a variety of platforms. This year our webinar series theme is Leadership Development Skills for Science Educators and we will be kicking off the season in May. Don't miss these great professional development events! |
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ANREP 15th Biennial Conference Update |
Confluence of Knowledge: Charting the
Future of Natural Resource Extension May 12-15, 2026 |
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The countdown is officially on! In just one month, we will gather on the banks of the Cape Fear River. Whether you are coming for the world-class professional development or to walk the famous "Wilmywood" film sets of One Tree Hill and Dawson’s Creek, we can’t wait to welcome you to the coast. 🚨 Major Deadline Extension: Save Now, Pay Later! We want to make sure everyone can join us at the best price possible. We have extended the Early Bird registration deadline to April 10! - Lock in Savings: You can secure the reduced rate today even if your travel funding is still in limbo.
- The Strategy: Register by April 10 and select the "Pay Later" option.
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Final Call: All registration fees must be paid in full by April 24.
🎟️ Bring a Friend & Save $50 Professional development is better with a partner. Use the discount code FRIEND to give a peer or associate (non-members only) $50 off their registration. Note: This code is for guests/peers and cannot be applied to existing members, students, or previous registrations. 🏨 Accommodations & Add-Ons
Hotel Blocks: Our discounted rates in historic downtown Wilmington are closing fast. Blocks will begin to expire between April 11 and April 15. Book your room immediately to ensure you get the group rate!
Field Excursions: Our Thursday excursions and pre-conference events are filling up—some are already at capacity! Remember, these require separate registration and payment by April 24.
🛠️ How You Can Help: Volunteer & Give Back A conference of this scale relies on the incredible spirit of the Extension community. We’ve made it easy for you to jump in: - Join the Green Team: Help us lighten our environmental footprint! We are partnering with the Wilmington Compost Company and need volunteers to assist at meals.
- General Volunteering: We need Wayfinders, Poster Judges, and Session Moderators. [Check the volunteer spreadsheet] to grab a shift that fits your schedule!
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Silent Auction: Bring a piece of home to North Carolina! As highlighted elsewhere in this News Digest edition, we are seeking items (nature-themed books, local artwork, or unique regional goods) for our auction. Proceeds support the NREEF and the ANREP scholarship program. Drop items off Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning, send them ahead of time, or ship to the high bidder after the conference.
For more on volunteering or to sign up visit the conference website. 📅 Program & Partnerships
The Preliminary Schedule is now live! Presenters, please review the guidelines for oral, ignite, organized, and poster sessions online.
We also want to extend a massive Thank You to our sponsors, including NC State College of Natural Resources, NC State Extension, North Carolina Farm Bureau, NCX and many others. Their support ensures high-quality programming and a top-tier networking experience for all of us. See you in Wilmington!
The ANREP 2026 Conference Committee!!! |
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| Resource Exchange
New Native Plant Fact Sheets
The National Extension Native Plant Initiative (NENPI) has released two new fact sheets. Available in the NENPI webpage resources section, these resources are intended to help Extension professionals expand their native plant programming.
Extension professionals are frequently asked whether native cultivars are appropriate substitutes for true natives. While native cultivars can add value to landscapes, research shows that some cultivar features may have reduced ability to support pollinators and other insects. The "Using Native Cultivars in Landscapes: Guidance for Extension Professionals" fact sheet is meant to assist the Extension professional in responding to these concerns, and provides suggested guidance on when and how to incorporate cultivars into native plantings.
In addition, there are many resources Extension professionals can draw upon to help you answer native plant questions, but curating these resources will help you deliver the best information possible for your unique location and clientele. The "Building Your Native Plant Toolbox: Guidance for Extension Professionals" will help you deliver accurate and adaptable information for you and your clients. These fact sheets were written by Sharon Ashworth, Ph.D, Kansas State Extension- Douglas County and Michele Bakacs, Rutgers Cooperative Extension- Middlesex and Union Counties.
Interested in joining our initiative? You can sign up here. We are hosting a weekly webinar every Tuesday in April 2026 to kick off the spring season. Topics will be geared toward natural resource extension professionals and those in related fields with an interest in native plants in the landscape, seed collection and processing, and the role of seed banks for local ecotypes.
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| Empowering farmers, inspiring eaters, and cultivating a stronger local food future together |
By Leeoria Noonan
Ohio State University
In February 2026, Ohio State University Extension Montgomery County partnered with the Montgomery County Office of Strategic Initiatives and the County Commissioners to host the first annual Local Foods Conference. The event was created with a central goal in mind: to strengthen connections between local food producers and the local institutions, businesses, and organizations that purchase food within the county. |
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| Pollinator Programming in the Florida Keys Drives Participation in the Pollinator Census |
By Liah Continentino
University of Florida IFAS Pollinator programming in the Florida Keys is transforming curiosity into action, mobilizing residents to participate in the Great Florida Pollinator Census and expand pollinator‑friendly landscapes. |
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| Biosecurity Procedures for Conservation Professionals |
By Genevieve Christ
Penn State University
Biosecurity helps prevent spreading diseases and pests between farms. By following sanitation, communication, and downtime practices, conservation professionals, Extension personnel, and researchers can protect the agricultural community and build trust. |
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| ANREP Members Share Extension Programs with International Audience at the Smoke Symposium |
By David Godwin
University of Florida/ Southern Fire Exchange During the week of March 23–27, 2026, more than 230 researchers, fire managers, and outreach specialists from around the world gathered at Tall Timbers Research Station in Tallahassee, Florida, and online for the 4th International Smoke Symposium. |
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| Resource Exchange
Light Up Learning: A Firefly Lifecycle Adventure
By Becky Griffin Community & School Garden Coordinator University of Georgia Extension
Bring the magic of fireflies to life with this hands-on, spin-and-see lifecycle wheel! Students color, build, and explore each stage - from glowing adult to tiny egg - revealed one turn at a time. It's an engaging blend of creativity and science that combines art and science that is appropriate for most species of North American fireflies. Watch curiosity light up as each spin uncovers the wonder of a firefly's journey! Download it here.
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| Retirements
Amy Stone, The Ohio State University
Amy began her Extension career in 1992, as part of an eight county center in NW Ohio, and in 2000 was named as the Lucas County AgNR Educator where she served until her recent retirement at the end of February 2026. Amy’s background was horticulture, or what she referred to as the ‘beautiful-side.’ But it wasn’t always beautiful. In the mid-90s there was an outbreak of gypsy moth, now called spongy moth. Detections of emerald ash borer, callery pear, poison hemlock, spotted lanternfly, and box tree moth led her to the ‘dark-side’ where she enjoyed sharing her knowledge, expertise and experiences about invasive species.
Amy is grateful for the time in Extension and being about to work with so many amazing people and volunteers along the way. She is looking forward to spending more time with family, being in her garden, and at dog shows. |
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New postings on the ANREP jobs board |
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