Kindergarten child wears a rain suit outside and holds hands open to share a worm as part of the Schoolyard Outdoor Learning Experiences (SOLE) Program hosted by the Association for Nature-Based Education.

CODE OF CONDUCT

GROUNDED IN PURPOSE,
GUIDED BY INTEGRITY

The Association for Nature-Based Education (ANBE) is committed to being responsible, transparent, and accountable stewards of the public trust as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We fulfill our mission with integrity, build supportive and fair relationships, avoid conflicts of interest, and comply with both the spirit and the letter of applicable laws.


To uphold these commitments, ANBE maintains the following standards for ethical conduct:

RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP


We manage our funds responsibly and prudently. We make it a priority to:

  • allocate administrative expenses in ways that ensure strong and efficient internal operations;
  • compensate staff and contractors fairly and appropriately; 
  • draw from funds in ways that honor donor intent and advance the public good;
  • maintain spending practices and policies that are fair, reasonable, and aligned with our mission; and 
  • ensure that all financial reporting is accurate, complete, and transparent in all material respects.
Blue jay perched on a branch

WHISTLEBLOWER POLICY


ANBE’s Directors, Officers, and Staff comply with all laws and regulations applicable to 501(c)(3) organizations and uphold ANBE’s policies and procedures, including those related to finances, audits, and governance.


To support this commitment, Directors, Officers, and Staff have a responsibility to report any situation in which they have actual knowledge of, or a reasonable good‑faith belief that, ANBE’s internal controls, auditing processes, accounting systems, or governance practices may be compromised, at risk, or otherwise not functioning as intended.
Conflict of Interest Policy described below.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY


As a tax‑exempt organization, we uphold the highest ethical standards and continually work to earn and maintain the public’s trust. We avoid conflicts of interest in all programs, scholarship awards, and business operations, and just as importantly, we avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest. Our decisions and actions reflect our commitment to integrity, transparency, and responsible stewardship of our mission.