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CNC Principles

The following is an abridged version of the Principles guiding CNC in its daily operation.  Click here to view Cincinnati Nature Center Principles in full.

Principle I: Education

Cincinnati Nature Center (CNC) is committed to providing quality educational activities and enjoyable experiences for its diverse audiences. CNC strives to encourage a “Sense of Place” in all visitors while adhering to the Principles for Education outlined below.

  1. Teaching People to Think (What We Teach)
  2. Promoting Environmental Education (Why We Teach)
  3. Using Interpretation to Teach (How We Teach)
  4. Providing Diverse Outdoor Environments (Where We Teach)
  5. Reaching Families (Who We Teach)

Principle II: Experience

Experience is a critical aspect of the CNC Mission.  Experience is defined as:

  1. Providing encounters with the natural and agricultural worlds which are hands-on, multi-sensory, unique and personal.
  2. Employing and training courteous, enthusiastic, passionate and knowledgeable staff and volunteers who create a welcoming and positive environment for all visitors.
  3. Operating clean, well-maintained, accessible and safe grounds and facilities.

Principle III: Making Environmentally Responsible Choices

Cincinnati Nature Center (CNC) strives to meet its present needs without sacrificing the ability of others, now and in the future, to meet their own needs. To achieve this we must make choices which are Environmentally Responsible, Financially Viable, and Socially Equitable.

CNC’s policies, practices, and designs should promote and preserve integrity, stability, and beauty within its natural and human-made systems. CNC strives to understand and function within Nature’s interdependent processes through conservation, restoration, and stewardship of its natural, financial, and human resources. CNC strives to be a role model by making nature and environmentally responsible choices visible.

CNC chooses to be Environmentally Responsible by:

  1. Respecting and utilizing the laws of nature
  2. Promoting a responsible land ethic
  3. Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of the sites
  4. Making appropriate use of ecological systems
  5. Making appropriate use of technological systems
  6. Limiting waste
  7. Balancing annual operating budgets
  8. Safeguarding and enhancing capital and financial assets
  9. Including ecological impact in financial considerations
  10. Creating an atmosphere conducive to philanthropy
  11. Planning for the future
  12. Embracing a high quality of human life
  13. Encouraging people to connect with nature
  14. Embracing a collaborative style of leadership and interaction
  15. Providing for the safety of participants, volunteers, and staff
  16. Adhering to the laws of society

CNC recognizes choices are challenging due to the high degree of interdependence and complexity of natural systems. Board members, staff, volunteers, and members are required to balance many components within this dynamic system. CNC also recognizes it must continually adapt to a changing world in order to remain vital and viable. These Principles may need to be reevaluated to ensure they reflect current ecological, financial, and social knowledge and norms while guiding the choices made by Cincinnati Nature Center.