NPS / Kelsey Graczyk
January 23, 2026
American Geophysical Union, Washington, DCThe 2026 NCR Partner Summit, sponsored by the National Park Friends Alliance, serves as a training, networking, and peer-to-peer learning opportunity for national park partners and staff. The goal of the summit is to help strengthen partnership relationships, build community among partnership professionals, and create space to share ideas, learn, network, and identify opportunities for collaboration.
7:30-8:30
Check-in and breakfast
8:30-9:00
Opening Remarks
- Jennifer T. Nersesian, Regional Director, National Capital Region, National Park Service
- Donald Leadbetter, Acting Deputy Director for Partnerships and Civic Engagement, National Park Service
- Katie Nyberg, Executive Director, National Park Friends Alliance
9:00-10:00
America at 250: Partnering for Commemoration and Celebration
Presenters: Destination D.C. and Eastern NationalRegional partners share their vision to commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
10:00-10:15
Speed Networking
10:15-10:30
Break
10:30-11:15
Concurrent Sessions #1
Building Capacity for Collective Impact – Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
The Trail staff shares lessons in building trail-focused partnerships and invites your ideas and feedback to help shape future philanthropic collaborations.
Restorative Park Engagement: A Path to Connected Communities – Friends of Anacostia Park
Friends of Anacostia Park shares their work to spark engagement by linking green spaces with local networks and grassroots organizations.
Power in Partnerships: Trends and Best Practices for Friends Groups and Park Partners – National Park Friends Alliance
Join National Park Friends Alliance Executive Director, Katie Nyberg and Alliance Members for an inside look at new programs, practical partnership tips, and an interactive Q&A designed to tackle your most pressing needs.
11:15 – 11:30
Break
11:30 – 12:15
Breaking Down Barriers and Building Trust During Times of Change
Workshop through scenarios to share and learn practical strategies for building trust and strengthening park-partner relationships.
12:15 -1:30
Lunch & Exhibit Tables
1:30-2:15
Concurrent Sessions #2
Canal Quarters: A Win-Win-Win – C&O Canal Trust and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
For over 15 years, the C&O Canal Trust and C&O Canal NHP have partnered on Canal Quarters, an award-winning program that offers unique visitor experiences while preserving park resources without federal funding. This session will share how the program works and what makes this collaboration successful.
From Connection to Collaboration: Reimagining Partnership Models at Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens – Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Urban Adventure Squad, Chesapeake Gateways, and National Capital Parks – East
Explore strategies for building inclusive, community-anchored collaborations that move beyond transactional connections toward lasting impact in D.C.’s Ward 7 community.
Bring Your Questions: Navigating NPS Policy and Partnership Agreements with Regional and Washington Support Staff
Subject matter experts will be available for brief one-on-one problem-solving chats on a variety of partnership policy topics, including but not limited to donor vetting, agreements and annual work plans, partner design and construction, and volunteer management.
2:15 - 2:30
Break
2:30 - 3:00
Connect & Reflect: Guided Conversations
Join Partner Summit steering committee members for energizing small-group conversations to unpack the day’s highlights, exchange ideas, and turn insights into potential next steps.
3:00 - 3:30
Summit Wrap-Up: Announcements, Updates & Your Voice
Join us for closing updates, exciting announcements, and an opportunity to share your thoughts and feedback.
3:30
Tour (optional)
Tour AGU’s net zero energy headquarters and explore the sustainable design principles—reduction, reclamation, absorption, and generation—that guide daily operations.
Last updated: January 20, 2026