Justice, Equity, Diversity, Access and Inclusion

JEDAI

"Historically, many communities have lacked access to nature; been made to feel unwelcome in open spaces; and/or been excluded from land stewardship, decision-making, and conservation jobs. Including and amplifying diverse voices is essential to ensure our conservation efforts represent all of California" (Pathways to 30x30, 2023)

"The department’s commitment to the fundamental principles of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and access is reflective of the diversity of the parks and programs we manage and the public we serve, with a focus on protecting and restoring the biodiversity in parks, illuminating and protecting the cultural history of the state, and engaging the public in fully connecting with the outdoors." (DPR Path Forward Strategic Plan, 2024)

On this page, you'll find courses, videos, webinars, articles, and books that can raise awareness of the communities we hope to serve, the boundaries they face, and how we can use our personal and professional power to engage with and empower underserved and underrepresented Californians. For more resources for engaging diverse audiences, please visit our pages for Neurodiversity and General Resources.

As a part of their series of professional learning resources, the North American Association of Enviornmental Educations (NAAEE) created this module to help the fields of interpretation and environmental education promote principles that build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive movement and focus on promoting all three tiers of sustainability: ecological integrity, economic prosperity, and social equity. See below for details

eeLEARN 4: Equitable and Inclusive EE | eePRO

ProValens Learning from Eppley Institute is a service created in collaboration with the National Park Service aimed to deliver foundational, cutting-edge training to parks and land management professionals. The following courses below are FREE asynchronous training for interpreters and park service professionals.

10 minutes - Eppley Institute, National Park Service

The Open University is a free online learning platforms for students and professionals covering a wide array of topics, see below for free courses relevant to this project.

Understanding ADHD (Free Course, 12 hours)

Understanding Autism (Free Course, 24 hours)

Historical Perspectives on Race (Free 12 hour course)

Working with Diversity in Services for Young People (Free 8 hour course)

Webinars and Videos

During this webinar from NAAEE, you'll highlight the imperative of active engagement in fostering JEDAI, we'll utilize introspective exercises and dynamic group discussions to develop effective strategies. These strategies aim to promote JEDAI initiatives, ensuring environmental education spaces are not only inclusive but also actively dismantle systemic barriers and promote equity. Click here for more resources like this!

Some neurodivergent individuals communicate differently from neurotypical individuals. In this video, explains where this shift in thinking comes from, what the most common differences are, and how to better support your neurodivergent community members.

Join Loren Penman (Autism Nature Trail Co-Creator) and Syren Nagakyrie (Disabled Hikers Foundation) in this webinar as we learn about the ways they are creating accessible, inclusive spaces in nature and how you can do the same.

Dr. Ruth Wilson she shares about her inspiring book, ‘Naturally Inclusive: Engaging Children of All Abilities Outdoors’.

Naturally Inclusive is an essential guide for creating inclusive nature-based play spaces and programs that connect every child to nature.

Learn all about effective communication with neurodivergent individuals. Whether you're a friend, family member, or professional, this event will provide valuable insights and practical tips to navigate conversations respectfully and empathetically. Click here for more resources like this!

By examining historical records and drawing on oral histories and the work of anthropologists, archaeologists, ecologists, and psychologists, We Are Not Animals sets out to answer questions regarding who the Indigenous people in the Santa Cruz region were and how they survived through the nineteenth century.

We've all heard presentations about the importance of DEI. In this powerful talk, Carin Taylor shares why belonging is the focus of her DEI strategy and the most important piece of the DEI discussion. She outlines the key ingredients needed to belong and how to create them.

This webinar focuses on the collaborative creation of outdoor play areas tailored for Black children between the ages of 3 and 6 and explores the practical implementation of research in this domain.

Join Parker McMullen Bushman as she discusses the connections between socio-cultural inequities, environmental issues and the power of EE to make change.

Articles and Discussion Topics

Allyship Case Studies - How Would You React to Their Othering?

The 7 Types of Allies – Which One Are You?

In this article from Inclusive Leaders Group discover kind of ally you are in your JEDAI efforts. Consider these small group discussion topics to follow-up for yor learning.

UNDERSTANDING NEURODIVERSITY SLIDES.pdf

Despite recent advances in outdoor recreation accessibility, many people still face barriers to spending time in nature. This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with the outdoors equity organization Wilderness Inquiry to address outdoor accessibility through an occupational therapy lens. This project aimed to enhance the knowledge and confidence of Wilderness Inquiry staff and volunteers on topics related to working with individuals with physical or neurodivergent abilities during Wilderness Inquiry activities. (Heistand, 2023)