President's Message

As I sit down to write this, the echoes of our annual ACI Conference are still fresh in my mind. It’s always a whirlwind of inspiration, learning, and networking, and this year was no exception. Every moment reminded me of why I love being a part of ACI. But as the awards ceremony on the final night wrapped up and the last goodbyes were being said the next morning, a familiar feeling washed over me: the bittersweet reality of having to wait another year to attend the conference. It’s like my 10-year-old self on Christmas morning opening my last gift.

While the conference may be over, the momentum generated from our time together doesn’t have to fade. As we settle back into our routines, let’s keep the conference spirit alive. Reach out to a colleague you met, take inspiration from something you learned and dive into a new project, or continue a conversation you had during afterhours dinner. For those that were not able to attend this year, I hope to see you in Atlantic City, New Jersey in July 2025! Outside of the conference, I encourage you to stay connected with ACI, and also consider getting involved on one of many committees that help shape who we are. We have an awards committee, grants committee, auction and fundraising committee, communications committee and soon to be conference committee. If you would like to become more active, email me anytime at blake.podhajsky@odwc.ok.gov.

I am pleased to announce we have several initiatives lined up over the next 6-7 months! On behalf of the ACI Board of Directors, I am happy to announce that plans are underway to rebuild our website www.aci-net.org. To keep in line with our mission, a modernized and more efficient website will serve as a hub to inform and provide a resource for not only our members, but the natural resources community at-large. There is not a target date set, but we anticipate a new site to be up earlier next year.

We also felt this would be an opportune moment to also rebrand ACI with a new logo that better reflects who we are as an organization. Over the next several months, we plan to hold a competition for ACI member graphic designers and artists to submit their ideas for a new logo. Please stay tuned in the coming weeks for more information.

So, while I’m already looking ahead to New Jersey in 2025, I’m equally thrilled about what’s to come in the meantime. ACI has great momentum going and I invite you to join in my excitement. 

Cheers!

The 2024 ACI Conference kicked off on Tuesday, July 23 with a great keynote address by Dr. Mamie Parker...[READ MORE].

ACI's Official Podcast

Episode Seven: Podcasting about podcasting

If you attended the annual ACI Conference in Roslyn, Virginia in July 2024, then there’s a good chance you saw us make this episode on stage in front of a live audience.... [READ MORE].

Beyond Boundaries: Inclusion in the Outdoors

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend this year’s ACI conference in Arlington, Virginia, and even luckier to hear some wonderful speakers. One of the most interesting and inspiring talks was entitled “Inclusion in the Outdoors” by Shep Roeper, Director and Co-Founder of Beyond Boundaries. His organization is based in Virginia and helps connect individuals of all abilities access a wide range of outdoor activities with the surrounding community...[READ MORE]. 

Article by Nicola Whitley

NH Fish and Game Department

ACI Scholarship Recipient

Developing Strategic Partnerships: Amplifying Your Organizations Reach

Kelsey Steenburgh with Virginia DWR, this year’s ACI host agency, gave conference goers some insight into how to develop external partnerships. Her talk was titled Developing Strategic Partnerships: Amplifying Your Organization's Reach. She began by defining what partnerships are — external organizations with common and shared goals to your organization which are mutually beneficial and share resources. Partnerships are an arrangement and can be either formal or informal. She was clear about what partnerships are not: vendors, contractors, one-time collaborators, industry peers and legislators...[READ MORE]. 

Article by Stephanie Estell

Wyoming Game & Fish Department

ACI Scholarship Recipient

2024 Kay Ellerhoff Spirit of ACI Award Recipient

Since 1986, the Kay Ellerhoff Spirit of ACI Award has been awarded to individuals who have embodied exemplary leadership, unwavering dedication and profound commitment and enthusiasm to the ACI membership. 

And this year’s recipient, Tim Akimoff, is no different. Tim has consistently exemplified what it means to go above and beyond the call of duty. His dedication to our community is evident and his overall passion for helping others through mentorship, leadership, collaboration and the ultimate pursuit of knowledge is something to be admired. And I am not talking about just within ACI, Tim Akimoff has been a constant beacon of inspiration in the conservation communications community and on a grander scale, in the entire government social media and communications arena...[READ MORE].

ACI Awards

One of the most popular and successful ACI programs is the annual awards contest, which recognizes excellence and promotes craft improvement through competition. Please view this years winners by visiting our WINNERS GALLERY!

Welcome our NEW ACI Board Members

Congratulations to the newest members of ACI's Board of Directors.

• Jonathan Carlucci, New Jersey DEP Fish and Wildlife
• Cory Chandler, Texas Parks and Wildlife
• Jane Gustafson, Nebraska Game and Parks

Check out ACI's new Flickr Account

ACI now has a Flickr account! Now we can more easily share photos and videos, and better connect with our outdoor communicator community-- YOU!

[CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR FLICKR ACCOUNT]

Our Mailing Address

Association for Conservation Information

1801 N. Lincoln Blvd.

Oklahoma City, OK 73015