CINCINNATI NATURE CENTER ASSOCIATION

Programs: At cnc, our classroom is more than 1,600 acres of protected eastern deciduous forest, fields, streams, ponds and wetlands. Our programs combine experiential education with hands-on learning. We strive to offer an interdisciplinary approach to learning by incorporating ecology, natural history, science, social studies, and stewardship into our programs. Our activities and events offer ways for people to reconnect with the natural world and empower them with opportunities to contribute to a sustainable future. Both members and non-members entered the property to hike, visit our nature shop, or to take advantage of self-guided trail brochures, pond-dipping experiences, or our passport program which encourages people to hike every cnc trail for a prize. There were a record 151,679 visitors in 2014. Exciting happenings at cnc during 2014:cnc expanded its intern program by adding a position titled "education fellow" and trained six interns as certified interpretive guides through the national association for interpretation. The cnc trailside and roving ambassador program was expanded, providing 129 experiences serving 3,887 visitors over the year. A new family event, "firefly fiddlefest" sold to capacity with 453 guests. The social outdoor event included a variety of hands-on interpretive opportunities. Preparing for night: served 1,035 people during this most popular annual educational event focusing on nocturnal animals. Maple syruping: 1,295 visitors experienced our hands-on maple syrup programs in february and march, plus many more during school field trips. Added a new member-based club: boomers and beyond for senior members. Winter solstice event: 650 people attended this annual seasonal celebration - our largest turnout for this event. Camp: served 769 children between the ages of 3 and 14 in at least one cincynature camp at rowe woods and long branch. Underserved (earthkids): 456 children in partnering agencies served our through camps, field trips, and other programs. Schools: 4,692 school children from a variety of districts participated in onsite or offsite school programs during 2014. Cnc's nature preschool enrolled 45 students for the 2014/2015 school year. Nature playscape: 31,702 people visited the nature playscape in 2014, an increase of 5,700 from 2013. A total of 23 school teachers were trained to use nature in their schoolyards through the cnc summer teacher retreat. Cnc launched a training course for preschool teachers in collaboration with 4c for children and uc arlitt center. It served 20 teachers from 10 centers. 1,023 parent chaperones were given a new chaperone training and follow-up resources during their children's field trip experience. Cnc homeschool programs served 234 parents and 456 children - more than double the year before. A total of 8,154 people participated in cnc programs throughout the year and cincinnati nature center membership increased to 8,816 member households.