Nature Center Issues & Solutions:
A roundtable of ideas & answers
Hosted November 2018
An informative and collaborative roundtable discussion about issues, trends, and problem solving at nature centers and visitor centers.
A roundtable of ideas & answers
Hosted November 2018
An informative and collaborative roundtable discussion about issues, trends, and problem solving at nature centers and visitor centers.
Issue 1: Seasonal Hiring Limitations. How to manage seasonal staffing based on Affordable Care Act limitations of only 5 months of working 40 hours/week.
Issue 2 Generating Revenue.
Issue 3 Marketing Ideas on No Budget
Issue 4 Going Paperless. Not printing maps and flyers is good for the environment and the bottom line, but how do you still get the information out without print?
Issue 5 Medical Information based programs.
- Spread seasonal to different areas if the site does not need a 5 month position. Seasonal staff will likely want to work more “seasons” to cover a yearly salary.
- Use multiple seasonal positions spaced to cover a longer period of time. For example, seasonal 1 works March-July and seasonal 2 works June-October.
- Raise base pay to be more competitive and improve retention.
- Define season & job in hiring advertisements.
- Give specific hours based on position- Seasonal 600 hours and Part-time 900 hours.
- Great Parks (Cincinnati, Ohio) has no more seasonals, just full-time with benefits or part-time with no benefits
- Interpreter 1- introductory staff level
- Interpreter 2- seasoned staff
- Interpreter Manager
- Based on hours not season so spread out over a longer period with fewer hours per week. A seasonal could work 7 months at 25-30 hours a week.
Issue 2 Generating Revenue.
- Need to have staff keep the facility open and provide free programs, but also need to generate income through programs to pay staff.
- Recreation staff manages center, so staff must reserve sites. Competing with recreation staff for space. Recreation programs generate more money than environmental education programs, so they get priority to sites.
- Use a sliding scale for cost recovery that is mission based and requires less recovery of cost if the program meets mission.
- What about charging for admission?
- Most places don’t charge.
- Reduced price for schools with free and reduced lunch.
- Foundation provides scholarships for transportation and free admission.
- Recreation staff manages center, so staff must reserve sites. Competing with recreation staff for space. Recreation programs generate more money than environmental education programs, so they get priority to sites.
- Other ideas for generating revenue
- Bring in parties and groups.
- Scout other places to see what they charge and do a cost analysis.
- Charge based on direct cost, benefit to agency and visitor, based on demand or limited availability.
- Fee makes visitors feel it is more valuable. People will pay more if they think it is a premium service.
- Portion of admission money to go toward conservation project. Let the visitors vote on the project with their donations/fees.
- Have a coin drop so money is visible and people will give more.
Issue 3 Marketing Ideas on No Budget
- Post flyers at library and school.
- Friends group to use Facebook and social media.
- Partner with local businesses to distribute materials.
- One location partners with nearby restaurants to make table tents and tray liners promoting their programs and events. They even post flyers in the restroom.
- Partner with local organizations such as scouts, parent magazines, Macaroni Kid, parent groups, HOAs, CVBs, etc.
- Local newspapers will use calendars and news stories.
Issue 4 Going Paperless. Not printing maps and flyers is good for the environment and the bottom line, but how do you still get the information out without print?
- Encourage people to take a picture of the map.
- Have map online and hopefully wi-fi for people to download the map.
- Charge for a map. Can use as a souvenir and highlight route on map.
- Maps are a great way to start conversations with visitors and give options, so really need maps.
- Use a sponsor to cover the cost of maps. Allow them to distribute maps at their sites/businesses.
- Have a kiosk at the trailhead with large map of only that trail and visitors can take a picture. Keep map consistent in style and look at each location.
Issue 5 Medical Information based programs.
- Walk with a Doc is a national program and fee based. May not work at all sites.
- Consider education programs for local ER and doctors to teach about native, local wildlife.