December 9-11, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas at the Whitley Center.

During this three-day Summit, TCiNN will bring together health, education, built environment, faith, and conservation community leaders to shape an even brighter future for the children of Texas. TCiNN will convene over 300 community leaders to strengthen the network and develop opportunities and policies to connect more children and families.

Conference at a Glance

• Wednesday

• 9-10: First Time Attendees Coffee

• 10-11:30: Regional Collaborative Meetings

• 12-4: Workshops around San Antonio

• 4:30-5:30: Member Meeting

• 5-6:30: Summit Happy Hour

• Thursday

• 8:00-12:00: Conference Sessions

• 12:00-1:00: Student Poster Sessions

• 1:00-5:00: Conference Sessions

• 5:00-6:00: Professional Poster Sessions

• 6:00 -9:00: Night Out Evening Event

• Friday

• 8-12:30:Conference Sessions

• Keynote Speaker:

  Julia Hotz: Author of the Connection Cure

  Special Panel:

  Join Jen Bristol for a special panel on Friday morning featuring Molly Stevens, Nancy Herron, Thea Platz and Margaret Russell on the history of Texas Children in Nature Network and its importance in Conservation’s future.

• Celebrate our 2026 Children in Nature Network Champions

Every year Texas Children in Nature Network honors individuals or organizations that have gone above and beyond to improve the lives of children through strengthening their connection with nature. We will honor our award winners during our 2026 Summit in San Antonio

Summit Session Strands

• Health and Nature

• Green Schoolyards and Education

• Early Childhood Education Outdoor Learning Environments

• Community Engagement and Partnerships

• Nature Smart Libraries

• Greenspace Access and Activation

Concurrent sessions will take place on Thursday and Friday of the Summit and are one hour long.

Wednesday Workshops

Half-day workshops are on Wednesday afternoon, December 9th. These workshops will feature our partners' great programs and highlight wonderful nature spaces across the San Antonio

You will be asked to choose a workshop upon registration. Please make note of the workshop you selected for future reference. All workshop registration changes must be given prior approval and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

IMPORTANT: All workshops are held rain or shine.

1. Blue Spaces and Connection to Nature

Location: San Antonio River (exact location TBD), 1-4 p.m.

Presenters: Dr. Jay Maddock, Director-Center for Health & Nature, Professor – Texas A&M University School of Public Health, Dr. Debra Kellstedt, Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension

Maximum Number of Participants: 15

Strands: Health & Nature

2. Nature for Every Library Tour: How public libraries connect to nature

Location: TBD, 1-4 p.m.

Presenters: Cresencia Huff, San Antonio Public Libraries

Maximum Number of Participants: 30

Strands: Nature Smart Libraries

3. Wetland Birding & Nature-Based Outdoor Engagement

Location: Mitchell Lake Audubon, 10750 Pleasanton Rd. San Antonio, TX 78221, 1-4 p.m.

Presenters: Erin Magerl, Mitchell Lake Audubon

Maximum Number of Participants: 20

Strands: Green Space Activation

4. Creating Nature Connections for Students, Teachers and Families in Northside ISD

Location: Peggy Carnahan Elementary School, 6839 Babcock Rd, San Antonio, TX 78249, 1-4pm

Presenters: Amalia Sollars, K-8 Enrichment Programs Coordinator; Isaac Esquivel, 5th Grade Environmental Science teacher; Denise Kivett, Project ACORN Sponsor and 3rd Grade teacher at Carnahan ES.

Transportation: A bus for this workshop will be provided, thanks to Northside ISD - meet at the Whitley Center

Maximum Number of Participants: 14

Strands: Green Schoolyards and Education

5. Growing, Gathering, Cooking: Bringing the Garden into Your Teaching

Location: San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place, San Antonio, TX 78209, 1-4pm

Presenter: Jessica Vance, Director of Youth, Family and School Learning, San Antonio Botanical Garden, Benjamin Charlton Jones, Education Coordinator, San Antonio Botanical Garden

Maximum Number of Participants: 30

Strands: Green Space Activation

6. Wondering with the Witte!

Location: Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209

Presenter: Helen Holdsworth, Witte Museum

Maximum Number of Participants: 30

Strands: Greenspace Activation

7. Building Connections and Creating Memories with Nature: An Immersive Experience at Phil Hardberger Park

Location: Hardberger Park Urban Ecology Center, 8400 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78231

Presenter: Wendy Leonard, San Antonio Parks and Recreation

Maximum Number of Participants: 30

8. Making Learning Real Again

Presenter: Jill Bienenstock, Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds

Location: TBD

Maximum Number of Participants: 30

Strands: Early Childhood Education, Green Schoolyards

Strands: Green Space Activation

9. Trueheart Ranch: A Nature Park Flourishes through Purposeful Partnership

Presenter: Janine Garcia, Emily Rew and Salem de le Luna, San Antonio River Authority, Lisa Cervantes and Ashley Perez, San Antonio River Foundation, John El Raheb and Natasha Sembay, Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds

Location: Trueheart Ranch Park, 14984 Blue Wing Rd, San Antonio, TX 78221, 1-4pm

Maximum Number of Participants: 30

Strands: Green Space Activation

10.Native plants, local histories, and the trails that connect us

Location: J Street Park 3500 J St, San Antonio, TX 78220

Presenter: Alex Bailey, Black Outside

Maximum Number of Participants: 18

Strands: Communities

11. Planting Sacred Seeds: spiritual practices to engage communities in tree equity, planting, and care.

Location: Whitley Center, 285 Oblate Dr, San Antonio, TX 78216, 1-4pm

Presenter: Heidi Holliday, Center for Spirituality in Nature, Jennifer Ramirez, A Rocha USA, Marliz Arteaga, A Rocha USA

Maximum Number of Participants: 30

Strands: Community

12. Picture Your World: The Art of Noticing Nature

Presenter: Carra Garza, Green Spaces Alliance South Texas

Location: TBA

Maximum Number of Participants: 25

Strands: Communities

13. San Antonio Zoo: Securing a future for wildlife through empathy, discovery, and innovation

Location: San Antonio Zoo, 3903 N St. Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212, 1-4pm

Presenter

Maximum Number of Participants: 30

Strands: Community

14. Beyond the Classroom: A Learning Alive Experience

Location: ESC, Region 20, 1314 Hines, San Antonio, TX78208

Presenter: Rolando Ruvalcaba and Tessa Baden, ESC Region 20

Maximum Number of Participants: 30

Strands: Communities, Green Schoolyards and Education

Wednesday Evening Happy Hour

Wind down after the Wednesday Workshops at a special TCiNN Happy Hour from 5:00-6:30 p.m.

Texas Children in Nature Network Night Out - Thursday Evening

Information coming soon

Conference Lodging Options

Texas Children in Nature Network has a conference block at the San Antonio Airport Marriott

Room Rate: $139/night

Book Now

Parking and Transportation

Free Parking is available at the Whitley Center. Parking information for Wednesday's workshops will be provided as we approach the event.

Parking at our Thursday night event is limited, carpooling is encouraged.

Meals and Happy Hours

Full registration includes the following meals: