outdoor education

Examining Equitable and Inclusive Work Environments in Environmental Education

This report explores how Environmental Education organizations are engaging in equity, diversity and inclusion practices and identifies strategies and tools on how to improve those practices. The study draws on research conducted with majority white organizational leaders and environmental educators of color and highlights a disconnect between those group’s perceptions of DEI work in their organizations. For more read here.

Considerations for Inclusive Convenings

This document is a resource for groups holding large gatherings who hope to make them more inclusive. It offers numerous considerations to make the event inclusive for the attendees regardless of race, ability, gender, class, stage of career, religious beliefs and more. For more see attached document.

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Decolonizing Environmental Education

This is a Zine put together that can be used as a tool to begin the work of changing and decolonizing the field of environmental education. The Zine shares personal experiences of POC and Indigenous environmental educators and activists, provides links to numerous articles and resources and offers tools on how to call for systemic environmental justice. For more read here.

Shenandoah National Park Is Confronting Its History

This articles discusses the history of racism and exclusion in American National Parks, in particular at Shenandoah National Park, which had segregated facilities under Jim Crow Laws. The author provides examples of how the National Parks Service is beginning to reckon with this long history of exclusion in their efforts to make National Parks for inclusive. For more read here.

Transforming a Movement: How foundations can support effective Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion capacity building efforts in environmental organizations

This report, compiled by the consulting group J.E.D.I. Heart, explores how funders and organizations can contribute to and more effectively engage in DEI efforts within the environmental movement. The report draws on research conducted with funders, DEI point people and staff of color at environmental organizations to analyze the limitations of ongoing DEI work and provide concrete suggestions for how to improve. Their findings suggest that environmental organizations view the act of beginning DEI efforts as a success in itself, rather than critically exploring the effectiveness of the work. For more read here.

The Best Voices and Brands in Plus Size Outdoor Clothing

This article discusses the difficulty that many people with larger body sizes face in finding outdoor apparel and gear in their size. The article discusses voices who are leading efforts to create and market more inclusive outdoor gear and provides a list of the most inclusive outdoor clothing brands. For more read here.

“Why I use the pronouns ‘ki’ and ‘kin'”

This article discusses how using ‘ki’ and ‘kin’ pronouns when referring to the environment, rather than “it”, breaks down a human-centric world view and can prevent environmental exploitation. For more read here

Relearning The Star Stories Of Indigenous Peoples: How the lost constellations of indigenous North Americans can connect culture, science, and inspire the next generation of scientists.

This Science Friday article and radio show episode talks about about the historical role of science in indigenous communities and considering a broader definition of science. In the piece, journalist Christie Taylor interviews Wilfred Buck, Cree elder and storyteller who teaches about indigenous astronomy. For more read and listen here.

Show Don’t Tell: Decolonize your classroom, syllabus, rules, and practices

This post for educators lays out some fundamentals to decolonizing your syllabus. For more read here.

Moving beyond territorial acknowledgement

Territorial acknowledgments have become fairly common in urban, progressive spaces in Canada. This article is about fully recognizing Indigenous homelands and is from the blog âpihtawikosisân.com – Law, language, life: A Plains Cree speaking Metis woman in Montreal.

https://apihtawikosisan.com/2016/09/beyond-territorial-acknowledgments/

Race-Evasiveness Among Camp Workers

This is a brief paper by independent scholar Cole Perry which examines how summer camp workers discuss racism and racial justice.

The paper can be viewed here: http://www.academia.edu/31306865/Race-Evasiveness_Among_Camp_Workers

The Mishomis Book: The Voice of the Ojibway

“Written by Ojibway educator and spiritual leader Edward Benton-Banai, and first published in 1988, The Mishomis Book draws from the traditional teachings of tribal elders to instruct young readers about Ojibway creation stories and legends, the origin and importance of the Ojibway family structure and clan system, the Midewiwin religion, the construction and use of the water drum and sweat lodge, and modern Ojibway history. Written for readers from all cultures-but especially for Ojibway and Native youth-The Mishomis Book provides an introduction to Ojibway culture and an understanding of the sacred Midewiwin teachings, aiming to protect this knowledge by instilling its importance in a new generation.”

https://www.amazon.com/Mishomis-Book-Voice-Ojibway/dp/0816673829