By The Association of Nature Center Administrators
July 23, 2024 — The Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) is pleased to announce Colleen Foehrenbacher as recipient of the 2024 ANCA Outstanding New Leader Award. This award acknowledges Foehrenbacher’s achievements within the nature and environmental learning center field in organizational leadership, professionalism, professional development, and creativity.
“We have been recognizing outstanding new leaders since 2014, and I continue to be inspired every year by the award recipients. Colleen is a dedicated leader with a commitment to excellence that is evident in the success of Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center. Throughout the pandemic, Colleen stood out as a leader determined to successfully steer her organization through the challenges and support others along the way”
Jen Levy
ANCA Executive DirectorFoehrenbacher has been Executive Director of Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center since April 2020. She began her work at Eagle Bluff in 2010 as an Environmental Education Fellow, and went on to serve as Adventure Education Coordinator (2012-2016) and Education Director (2016-2020).
Foehrenbacher stepped into the Executive Director role at the start of the pandemic, navigating Eagle Bluff through the challenges of lockdowns. As a multi-day, overnight outdoor school, Eagle Bluff was especially impacted by COVID restrictions, which persisted for years.
Under Foehrenbacher’s leadership, Eagle Bluff has thrived. Key achievements include a new high ropes course, a nature preschool, and a successful capital campaign feasibility study. She also contributed to the Outdoor School for All campaign, supporting multi-day overnight education for middle school students statewide.
Beyond her role at Eagle Bluff, Foehrenbacher is deeply involved in the broader environmental and nonprofit community. She actively participates in ANCA, the Minnesota Nature Center Network, and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and previously served on the Fountain, Minnesota City Council.
Her commitment to professional growth and leadership includes attending multiple ANCA Annual Summits and Overnight Camp & Outdoor School Summits, as well as serving as a mentor through the ANCA Mentor Program.
“We all hope for leaders who actually get it, really want it, and have the capacity to do it well. Then of course in the field of environmental education we really hope for our leader to be someone who actually lives it. If we get all four of those attributes, those fortunate enough to be on that team are empowered by an inspiring leader. Colleen Foehrenbacher is that inspiring leader.”
Pete Smerud
Executive Director of Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning CenterANCA will recognize Foehrenbacher with this award at the ANCA Overnight Camp & Outdoor School Summit, January 10-14, 2025.
ABOUT THE AWARD
The ANCA Outstanding New Leader Award honors individuals who show exceptional promise for future impact in the field of nature center leadership. Award recipients demonstrate outstanding leadership, professionalism, creativity, and a commitment to professional development within the nature and environmental learning center community.
Eligible candidates have held a top-level leadership role, such as Executive Director, for less than five years. Awardees are nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of ANCA members. Since its inception in 2014, this award has recognized one inspiring leader annually.
ABOUT ANCA
The Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) is the leading professional organization supporting leadership and management in the nature and environmental learning center field. The ANCA serves over 700 members, including directors, senior administrators, and board members of nature centers.
Through networking, mentorship, and professional development, ANCA empowers leaders to strengthen their organizations and advance environmental education.
