Session Title: (102) Nature in My Urban (Neighbor)hood

Session Type: Education Session Talk
Topic(s): Conservation, Public Policy and Advocacy
Natural Resources Management

Day/Time: Thursday - Block 7
10/12/2023 10:30 AM (Central Time (US & Canada)) - 10/12/2023 11:30 AM (Central Time (US & Canada))

Room: Room D161

Audience Experience Level: Any level
Audience Familiarity with DEI: Any Level
CEU: 0.1

Description:
This session will be about the ways that Detroit Parks and Recreation Department (DPRD) has used nature to engage the community and provide programming. It will give context to how outdoor activities including but not limited to swimming, canoeing, fishing and camping had been components of DPRD over the years and the new ways we are reintroducing nature to our department. During the pandemic, we saw nature become “in demand” as it was one of the only places where people felt safe. We will close with how we as a department are continuing to prioritize nature in our recreation centers, as well as provide access and exposure to unique outdoor-based opportunities for people in urban areas.

Learning Objectives:
1. Attendees should be able to define nature in a broad sense, allowing for the many different ways that people interact with the outdoors to be included in that definition, from reading a book under a tree to glamping to going on a backpacking trip. All are valid forms of interacting in the outdoors.
2. Attendees should be able to recall the many ways people show up in nature based on how comfortable they feel being authentic in the outdoors. They should be able to make sure that a tone is set to meet people where they are, rather than imposing something on them that they may not be ready for.
3. Attendees should be able to identify the barriers that are associated with people getting outdoors, including but not limited to cost, safety, past experiences, accessibility and transportation.

Speaker(s):

Andre Harris
Morae Griffin
Jac Kyle
Rachel Felder