Natural Encounters, Inc.

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Natural Encounters, Inc.

Natural Encounters, Inc. Engage, Inspire, Empower! Steve Martin is one of the best-known animal trainers in the world. In 1991, The World Of Birds Show, Inc.

has served more than 130 facilities in over 25 countries, offering expertise in animal training, staff training, educational program production and presentation, exhibit design, and enrichment. In 1976 he set up the first bird show of its kind at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. His use of non-traditional, free flight birds combined with an inspiring conservation message set this show apart from al

l other animal shows. Four years later, Steve left the Wild Animal Park to establish “The World of Birds Show, Inc.” and present his programs at zoos across the United States. was renamed Natural Encounters, Inc. (NEI). This new name better defined the direction and goals of the company, which are to Engage, Inspire, and Empower people at their shows through the exhibition of animals demonstrating natural behaviors, carefully designed dialogue, and entertaining choreography. These shows now entertain and educate millions of people each year. NEI’s animal training expertise has grown far beyond birds. Steve’s history of training free-flight birds had a profound effect on preparing him for training other species in zoos and aquariums. Perhaps the most important influence on his training ability was knowing that the consequence of a poor training decision could result in the loss of his animal ... it could just fly away! This unique liability forced him to develop insights, skills and scientifically sound training strategies that might not have been as important if he were training animals confined in enclosures. quickly grew from a bird show provider to a company specializing in animal behavior and visitor experience. In 1988 NEI began consulting on zoo-wide animal behavior issues and teaching keepers the art and science of animal training. Steve and his staff at NEI have now trained hundreds of species from marmosets to elephants and even reptiles and fish. Plus, they have taught their animal training techniques to over 600 people in nine countries. Throughout the zoological community, demand for establishing behavior management programs has increased. In response, NEI has brought together the most experienced, cross-disciplinary behavior management training and program development team available. These professionals come from the fields of animal training, biology, psychology, behavior analysis, theater, and show production. Their expertise encompasses a wide breadth of taxa found in zoological collections. In addition to the project leaders and consulting staff, NEI also employs over twenty full-time animal trainers.

31/01/2025

"By recycling ONE can, you can save TOUcans! 🌎♻️"

This is a favorited line sometimes used in NEI shows to share an important message. Aluminum is one of the most valuable materials to recycle because it can be reused indefinitely without losing quality. Unlike other materials, aluminum recycling is highly efficient and cost-effective—it uses 95% less energy than producing new aluminum from raw materials. But if aluminum cans end up in landfills, they can take 80-200 years to decompose. Keep cans out of landfills and help protect wildlife by recycling!

What other fun little puns do you use in your educational messaging?! Share in the comments below!

30/01/2025

🚨 Expand Your Training Toolbox! 🚨
Are you ready to take your training skills to the next level? Don’t miss this full-day virtual workshop from NEI TEC with Steve Martin.

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 26th, 2025
⏰ Time: 10am – 3pm EST (with a 1-hour lunch break)
💰 Cost: $100 USD

Dive deep into the art and science of extraordinary animal training and learn techniques to create better outcomes, stronger relationships, and empowered animals.

Register today by following the link below 🔗

Register Now! Date: Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 Time: 10am – 3pm EST (1hr lunch break) Facilitator: Steve Martin, Natural Encounters, Inc.Cost: $100.00 USD Expanding Your Training Toolbox A One-Day Deep Dive into Extraordinary Animal Training Are you looking to expand your skill-set, increase y...

29/01/2025

🎉Could it be?! The 250th episode of the NEI TEC Talk Podcast drops tomorrow!

🎙️To help us celebrate this amazing milestone, Chris and Ari are joined by an all-star lineup of Steve Martin, Tim Sullivan, Dr. Susan Friedman, and Ken Ramirez! Together, they’ll reflect on 250 episodes of inspiring conversations and have some great new ones as well.✨

Don’t miss this epic episode! Make sure you’re subscribed to catch it as soon as it goes live. Listen anywhere you get your podcasts. Here’s to 250 more! 🐾🎧

29/01/2025

🐍🌕 Happy Lunar New Year!

It is the year of the snake. Snakes, and other reptile species, deserves the opportunity to influence their environment and participate voluntarily in their care just like any other animal under human care.

Historically, reptiles have been overlooked in training, but modern animal care professionals recognize the value of empowering snakes and other reptiles. If you work with this unique and amazing group of animals, what training journeys are you on? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below! 🐍✨

29/01/2025

🌟Did You Catch Our TEC Talk Yesterday?🌟

We hope you enjoyed Steve Martin’s insightful presentation on Choice and Control and found it as inspiring as we did! Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your takeaways!

We’re already gearing up for next month’s TEC Talk, featuring NEI COO Chris Jenkins with “Advice for Aspiring Needle Movers.” Stay tuned for registration details coming soon!

27/01/2025

🌟 We are Back! 🌟

Our first NEI TEC Talk of the year, "Choice and Control: Understanding the Differences and Their Impact on Animal Welfare," presented by Steve Martin, is underway!

We are diving into the nuances of choice and control in animal care and training, fostering trust and understanding through innovative techniques. It's an inspiring start to the TEC Talks relaunch and registrants are joining from all over the world, we have attendees from Belgium, Dubai, Australia, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, and all over the US!

Here is a little sneak peak from behind the scenes of the control center at Chris Jenkins desk !

26/01/2025

🚨 Last Chance to Register!

The Choice and Control TEC Talk is happening tomorrow! Don't miss this exciting opportunity to explore how these essential concepts impact animal welfare and training.

📅 When: Monday, January 27, 2025
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM EST
📍 Where: Zoom

CEUs may be available for IATCB, IAABC, CCPDT, and KPA! Have questions? Contact us at [email protected].

👉 Register now before it’s too late! https://naturalencounters.com/tec-talk-choice-and-control/

24/01/2025

⏳ The Choice and Control TEC Talk is Less Than a Week Away!

Have you registered yet? Don't miss this deep dive with Steve Martin into the transformative concepts of choice and control in animal care and training.

📅 When: Monday, January 27, 2025
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM EST
📍 Where: Zoom

Explore strategies to empower animals, enhance welfare, and strengthen trusting relationships. Plus, CEUs may be available for multiple organizations!

👉 Register now: https://naturalencounters.com/tec-talk-choice-and-control/

23/01/2025

🌟 Have You Seen an NEI Show? 🌟

Maybe you’ve experienced an NEI show or work at one of the many facilities where we’ve helped produce presentations worldwide! Known for innovative, conservation-focused animal presentations, NEI connects humans to the natural world by showcasing birds doing what they do best—displaying natural behaviors through free-flight demonstrations.

Our shows inspire conservation action while using positive reinforcement training techniques to ensure the best experience for both animals and audiences.

💬 Share your memories or experiences of an NEI show in the comments below!

22/01/2025

🎙️ New NEI TEC Talk Podcast Episode Alert! 🚨

Episode 249: The Uses and Limits of Anthropomorphism (with Katy Kocisko, Center for Great Apes)

Tomorrow, we chat with Katy Kocisko, an orangutan caretaker at The Center for Great Apes! Hear how a school field trip sparked a journey from Bearizona Wildlife Park to caring for apes, and the challenges of working with animals that are "like us" in many ways. It's a thoughtful dive into the impact of anthropomorphism on animal care and welfare.

Catch the episode on all major podcast platforms!

21/01/2025

✨ Leadership for All! ✨

Leadership isn’t just for those with fancy titles—great leadership qualities are something we can all strive to practice every day. Empathy, humility, collaboration, accountability, and supporting your team are hallmarks of exceptional leaders.

In this article from The IAATE FLYER, NEI Chief Development Officer Ari Bailey shares insights on how everyone can embody these traits in Leadership for All! Learn how small actions can make a big impact on your team and professional growth.

📖 Check out the article by following the link here!https://naturalencounters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Professional-Development-Article-Summer-2024.pdf

20/01/2025

Don't Miss the TEC Talk on Choice and Control – CEUs Available!

Have you registered for the January 27 TEC Talk yet? CEUs may be available for:
✨ IATCB (CPBT-KA, CPAT-KA)
✨ IAABC
✨ CCPDT (CBCC, CPDT)
✨ KPA

If you're seeking CEUs from another organization, contact them directly for info. Questions about CEUs? Email [email protected].

📅 When: January 27, 2025
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM EST
📍 Where: Zoom

👉 Register today: https://naturalencounters.com/tec-talk-choice-and-control/

20/01/2025

🎙️ Did You Catch Our Latest Episode of the NEI TEC Talk Podcast?!

Episode 248: Off the Cuff (with Susan Friedman, Behavior Works)
Life threw us a curveball Thursday with a surprise USDA inspection, but we made it work! Chris had a chance to chat with the incredible Dr. Susan Friedman, founder of Behavior Works, and while our planned recording is rescheduled, we’re excited to share part of this impromptu conversation with you. Flexibility is key, and there’s some great content here!

Tune in now and let us know your thoughts!

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

19/01/2025

🌟 It’s Hard to Pick a Favorite, But We Have to Ask! 🌟

Is there an animal, individual or species, that you just love? Maybe you don’t even know why, but every time you see them, they light you up and reignite your passion for what you do.

Whether it’s their playful behavior, awesome adaptations, or a personal connection, we’d love to know more about your favorites. 💬💙

📸 Share a photo and a note about why this particular animal speaks to you in the comments below! 🐾✨

18/01/2025

🌟 Expand Your Training Toolbox 🌟

Join Steve Martin for an exclusive one-day virtual workshop designed to elevate your animal training skills.

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 26th, 2025
🕙 Time: 10am – 3pm EST (1-hour lunch break)
💲 Cost: $100.00 USD

Discover traits of extraordinary trainers, from using control as a reinforcer to fostering trust and giving animals a voice. Ideal for trainers at all levels, this session combines art and science for transformative results.

Register now! https://naturalencounters.com/nei-tec-full-day-virtual-workshop/

17/01/2025

Opening the Door to Two-Way Communication in Training Sessions

How do you let animals shape your behavior? By observing and responding to their body language, we can adapt our approach to meet their needs and create more effective partnerships.

Share your lessons learned:

⭐️ How has listening to an animal's behavior changed your strategy?
⭐️ What creative ways have you found to give your learners a voice and a vote?

Let’s celebrate the art of two-way communication and the amazing outcomes it can produce!

16/01/2025

TEC Talks are Back! Have You Registered Yet?

Join us on January 27, 2025, for the exciting relaunch of NEI TEC Talks with Choice and Control: Understanding the Differences and Their Impact on Animal Welfare. Steve Martin will dive into how these concepts shape animal care and training, promoting trust and welfare.

📅 When: Monday, January 27, 2025
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM EST
📍 Where: Zoom
💬 What: 60-minute talk + 30-minute Q&A

👉 Register now and don’t miss out! Visit: https://naturalencounters.com/tec-talk-choice-and-control/

15/01/2025

📣 Expand Your Training Toolbox with Steve Martin!

💡 Are you ready to elevate your animal training skills? Join us for a one-day virtual workshop where we’ll dive into the traits of extraordinary trainers and explore essential tools like shaping strategies, fostering trust, and giving animals a voice in their training.

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 26th, 2025
🕙 Time: 10am–3pm EST (1hr lunch break)
💻 Where: Zoom
💲 Cost: $100.00 USD

🚨 Registration is open now—secure your spot today!
🔗 https://naturalencounters.com/nei-tec-full-day-virtual-workshop/

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Let’s take a look at the NEI 2025 Curriculum!🌟 . . For more information on our offerings please visit our website www.naturalencounters.com . 🔗Link in bio #naturalencountersinc #neitec #animaltraining #animalempowerment #animalwelfare #podcast #birds #positivereinforcement #choiceandcontrol #nei

🌟Let’s meet one of our trainers that will be a new team lead at the Professional Contemporary Animal Training and Management Workshop! 🌟 . . Begins February 8th at the NEI Training and Education Center! For more information visit our website. 🔗Link in bio #neitec #animaltraining #animalempowerment #birds #animalwelfare #positivereinforcement

Training is a partnership!

Training is a Partnership 🍞 🧈 Training is not something we do to an animal—it’s something we do with an animal. This collaborative approach builds trust, enhances communication, and creates an environment where both trainers and animals can thrive. Let’s embrace training as a partnership and celebrate the incredible connections it fosters. 💙🐾 Let us know who you are training with today in the comments below!

The Most Powerful Predator in the Sky

We’re honored to be featured in the prestigious Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom series! NEI’s own Amy Fennell, Supervisor of Training, and President & CEO Steve Martin joined the show for an in-depth look at Harpy Eagles. Catch a glimpse of our team and our magnificent Harpy Eagles in this inspiring episode that highlights the crucial conservation work we’re all so passionate about. Follow Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom to explore even more incredible stories, and click here to watch the full episode: 🔗 https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild/video/the-most-powerful-predator-in-the-sky/9000414709

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