October 7, 2024

Sowing Seeds:
Conservation connections for a resilient future

Vermont State University, Randolph, Vermont

Conference registration is now live!!

We can't wait to see you on October 7.

Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Carolyn Finney

We are proud to announce that our keynote speaker at this year's conference is Dr. Carolyn Finney, author of Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors.

Dr. Finney is a storyteller, author, and a cultural geographer who is deeply interested in issues related to identity, difference, creativity, and resilience.Her work aims to develop greater cultural competency within environmental organizations and institutions, challenge media outlets on their representation of difference, and increase awareness of how privilege shapes who gets to speak to environmental issues and determine policy and action.

The 2024 Vermont Conservation Conference will convene in the wake of a unique conservation moment. This involves conserving 30% of our land and waters by 2030, protecting an ecologically functional landscape, mitigating the effects of climate change, supporting healthy and resilient working lands, and advancing environmental justice.

This conference aims to make space for the conservation community across Vermont to meet, share resources, and foster discussions regarding collaborative, strategic, and informed conservation work and planning.

By the end of the day, attendees will leave with a better sense of:

• How their organization/program/self can play a role in recognizing the unique conservation moment, advancing statewide conservation initiatives, and leveraging unprecedented funding opportunities;

• The holistic definition of “conservation” in Vermont, and how differing perspectives are reflected across diverse organizations and programming;

• How can we work together to advance equity and inclusion in the conservation community, ensuring equitable access for BIPOC Vermonters and other historically marginalized groups;

• Organizational and Personal Connections: Who to ask about, who to include in, and who to connect with on conservation topics;

• The “road map” for the future of Vermont conservation – Where are we going, and how do we work together to get there?

Schedule at a Glance

8:00 Registration opens

8:00–9:00 Coffee, pastries & networking

9:00–9:30 Opening Remarks

9:30–10:30 Keynote: Dr. Carolyn Finney

10:45–11:45 Session A

12:00–1:00 Lunch (2 locations)

1:15–2:30 Session B

2:45–3:45 Session C

4:00–4:45 Session D