Welcome to the DEI Outdoors Practitioner Certification Course

[Rachel Hailey]

Hi everyone,

I'm thrilled to introduce myself as your instructor for the DEI Outdoors Practitioner Course starting next week! My name is Rachel Hailey, and I am the Founder and a Transformation Partner at DEI Outdoors. After spending several years working in outdoor recreation as a manager and guide, I transitioned to helping folks create belonging in the outdoors. My goal is to create actionable systems for diversity, equity, and inclusion in outdoor spaces. When I'm not working, you can usually find me exploring the woods with my daughter and German Shepherd, searching for magical creatures. I'm excited to embark on this learning journey with you!

**If your plans have changed and you can no longer attend this course, please let me know as soon as possible - we have a waiting list of lots of eager folks!

Getting Started:

Our course website will open on January 21st and will be your go-to resource for announcements, course materials, assignments, and more. The course is hosted on Google Sites. You will receive an email in the next week or so inviting you to view the site. We will be providing all of the learning material you need for this course, and they will be located on the course site. Be sure to bookmark it!

Discussions and Announcements:

We will be using Google Groups for both discussions and announcements. If you have never used Google Groups before, check out more information here. This is the first thread you are seeing! Feel free to introduce yourself by replying to this email. You may choose to share an intro with the class by replying back to winte...@deioutdoors.com, or responding back directly to me! You can adjust the notifications you receive by clicking “Membership Settings.” These groups will be the platforms for asking questions, sharing insights, staying informed about course updates, and connecting with your fellow classmates.

Course Structure and Assignments:

Before we begin, make sure to review the course syllabus for more information on what to expect each week. Each week will have a live or self-paced session, some supplemental materials, a brief activity, and a project. This course is not graded and instead is evaluated based on your engagement with the materials and projects. The project structure is the same each week, and offers several different formats for submitting. More details can be found in the syllabus.

I'm excited to dive in with you all! This will be a collaborative learning experience, so don't hesitate to participate, ask questions, and engage in the discussions. I'm here to support your learning journey in every way I can.

Cheers, 

Rachel

[Mark Zmudy]

Dear Rachel and Classmates,

My name is Mark Zmudy and I am a teacher at the University of Minnesota Duluth in two academic majors: Environmental and Outdoor Education (EOE), and Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE). This class seems like a good opportunity since both subjects I teach are packed full of historical examples of inequity and lack of inclusion of all genders, races, ability levels, cultures, and backgrounds.

Taking this course syncs up with two projects I am currently working on at UMD, both related to curricular changes and creating a sense of belonging in outdoor education for our students.

Briefly, the first project is embarking on including Indigenous people's voices in our outdoor education curriculum for the EOE major. The second is a grant I wrote that I just received funding for titled "Decolonizing and Indigenizing Outdoor Education Curricula" which is set up for working with the students and staff of our American Indian Learning Resource Center (AILRC) as well as other community members like the staff at the 1854 Treaty Authority.

Both are too complex to describe here, so to save writing you a giant essay I will plan to tell you more about these by telling you stories when we meet.

Cheers for now and Happy New Year!

Zmudy

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Mark H. Zmudy, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

UEA Member

He/Him/His

University of Minnesota, Duluth
Department of Applied Human Sciences
SpHC 110
1216 Ordean Court
Duluth, MN 55812
Ph: 218-726-6861
Fax: 218-726-6243

[Harriet Flynn]

Hi everyone,

My name is Harriet Flynn and I live in Harrisonburg, Virginia. I love the outdoors and helping other people get outside. I decided to take this course because outside of my parks and recreation job I decided to started a non-profit gear library in my town with the goal of helping more people have access to outdoor recreation by providing them with information and gear for free. I think it is important for me to learn as much as I can about diversity in the outdoors.  

When I am not working I love caving, hiking, and hanging out with my dog.

Thanks,

Harriet 

[Kendal Scott]

Hello all,

 

I’m Kendal, I am the Outdoor Education Lead for the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation. As part of my role, I manage a state grant program designed to get kids outside participating in outdoor education and recreation. I am excited to learn more about how I might edit the grant process to make it more accessible and reach organizations and youth that represent the whole of our diverse state. I am lucky enough to live at beautiful Lake Tahoe, on the ancestral home of the Washoe people. Over the past decade I have taught outdoor environmental education to all ages in Washington, Nevada, California, Utah, Idaho, and Alaska. Outside (and inside) of work I love to swim, hike, snowboard, ski, search for wildflowers, and read (my favorite genres are ethnobotany and memoirs).

 

Kendal Scott

Outdoor Education Lead, Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation 

 

    

Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

901 S. Stewart Street, Ste. 1002

Carson City, NV 89701

e: k.s...@ndor.nv.gov

o: 775.684.2731

she/her/hers

 

From: Rachel Hailey <rac...@deioutdoors.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 9:53 AM
To: DEIO Certificate Winter 2024 <winte...@deioutdoors.com>
Subject: Welcome to the DEI Outdoors Practitioner Certification Course

 

WARNING - This email originated from outside the State of Nevada. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

--

[Jordan Marino]

Hi everyone!

My name is Jordan (they/them), and I am the Operations Coordinator at DEI Outdoors. I will be assisting Rachel with a lot of the behind-the-scenes content - so if you have any questions or issues with accessing the course platform or materials, you can email me directly at jor...@deioutdoors.com.

My background is in conservation and aquatic animal care, and I have worked at several zoos & aquariums as an educator and aquarist. My interests lie in the intersection of conservation, social justice, and culture. I recently earned my master's degree researching integrative conservation, and I am excited to be continuing my learning journey with all of you :).

Warmly, 

Jordan

[epl...@americanhiking.org]

Hello everyone,

 

My name is Ellie Place (she/her/hers) and I live in Seattle, WA on the ancestral homelands of the Duwamish and Coast Salish people. I am the programs manager with American Hiking Society, an organization that works to empower all to enjoy, share and preserve the hiking experience. My role within the organization is to manage our volunteer programs, which include week-long volunteer trail service and land conservation projects for both adults and college or university aged students. I’m excited to dig into how I can make these programs more accessible and welcoming to everyone, particularly as a trainer for our crew leaders who lead each of our trail projects. Outside of work I like to hike, run, ski, read and play the fiddle. Looking forward to taking this course with you all!

 

Ellie Place

Programs Manager | She/her/hers

epl...@americanhiking.org 301.565.6704x704

Empowering all to enjoy, share, and preserve the hiking experience

8403 Colesville Rd, Suite 1100, Silver Spring, MD 20910

 

Support American Hiking Society with your gift today.

 

From: Rachel Hailey <rac...@deioutdoors.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 9:53 AM
To: DEIO Certificate Winter 2024 <winte...@deioutdoors.com>
Subject: Welcome to the DEI Outdoors Practitioner Certification Course

 

Hi everyone,

--

[Lindsay Cartmell]

Hi everybody,

I'm Lindsay and I am the Manager of the Appalachian Mountain Club's Three Mile Island Camp on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. I also am a nanny to twin baby boys, and will eventually be a full-time high school science teacher. I studied Biology & Outdoor Education at the University of New Hampshire until 2022, and since then have been traveling and working seasonally. 

Looking forward to working with you all!

Cheers,

Lindsay

Lindsay Cartmell 

(she/her/hers)

Manager

A.M.C. Three Mile Island Camp

---

From: Rachel Hailey <rac...@deioutdoors.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 12:52 PM

To: DEIO Certificate Winter 2024 <winte...@deioutdoors.com>
Subject: Welcome to the DEI Outdoors Practitioner Certification Course

 

*EXTERNAL EMAIL*

[Katherine Abbott]

Hi all,

Very good to meet you! I'm a writer, a journalist and an oral historian in Western Massachusetts, on the homelands of the Mohican people, and the Nipmuc, Pocumtuc and Wabenaki. My work in all those forms is listening, talking with people, telling stories, creating ways for people to share and preserve their experiences. Among them, I have had the chance to meet warmly generous people and hear and tell community stories, to work with students and to talk with communities who want to gather their own stories and protect them, to help them be seen and heard as they want to be. 

The DEI work I have had a chance interact with has often felt, to me, very much connected to all those thoughts and themes, and I'm excited to learn more with you all. I also love walking in these hills and climbing trees ... and riding on trails and floating on lakes when I have the chance.

Take care everyone,

Kate

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/deioutdoors.com/d/msgid/winter2024/BYAPR10MB36541BB6DD2B36D39B74081CC5732%40BYAPR10MB3654.namprd10.prod.outlook.com.

For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/deioutdoors.com/d/optout.

--

"Even sight heightened to become all-seeing will do you no good without a sense of taking part." — Wislawa Szymborska

Writer and freelance journalist on Muhheaconneok/Mohican homelands

Local stories and explorations at By the Way Berkshires 

Pronouns she / her, 203-494-6384

@btw_berkshires on Instagram 

BTWBerkshires on Facebook

[Lindsay McGinnis]

Hi! 

I’m at teacher… while I teach high school, I’m a teacher of all things outdoors. I teach Outdoor Leadership, Conservation and Stewardship, Environmental Science, Environmental Sustainability, and I continue to develop new courses.

I have a passion for doing outdoor activities including hiking, cycling, camping, and climbing. While I teach environmental issues and systems, I also hope to instill a passion for enjoying the outdoors for all students. I do all this in a very northwestern corner of Massachusetts, at the base of Mt Greylock. That being said, that is why I am here. I teach all students and want to do my best by them. Looking forward to working with you all!

Best,

Lindsay McGinnis

Lindsay (St. Pierre) McGinnis

Hoosac Valley High School

lmcg...@hoosacvalley.org

(413)743-5200 ext 4416

HS Science Teacher

Instructional Leadership Team (ILT)

Garden Advisor

"STRIVE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE BY EMPHASIZING STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY IN A CLIMATE OF MUTUAL RESPECT."

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/deioutdoors.com/d/msgid/winter2024/CAMsNBm8qt8%2BwKa1yzwvJW6aFyK0dsnb7-qEciqnLhYqfTy21WA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Dave Edson]

Hello, Everyone,

This is looking like a team of superheroes! My name is Dave Edson. I, too, come to you from Mohican Land in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. My wife and daughter and I moved here in 2017 from Brooklyn, NY. I am an actor, musician, educator, and naturalist. Activism and creativity is a throughline between all of these for me. I was a teacher for 22 years throughout K-12, but primarily in early childhood and middle school.

I am going through a Renaissance in my life and it's pretty exciting. I am combining skills and experiences that ultimately aim to dismantle broken, hurtful systems and bring everyone (myself included) to a place of joy. I am currently enrolled in the Birder's Certificate Program with Mass Audubon. It is an eleven month long program that includes lectures, field work, and projects. I love birding and animal tracking, and my new jam is exploring the science of awe and mindfulness practices that connect to these types of activities in the great outdoors. My hope is to spread the love that is outdoor activities improving our individual and collective physical and mental health.

I also work for DEI Outdoors! I look forward to learning from you all and transforming with you.

Soulfully,

Dave 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/deioutdoors.com/d/msgid/winter2024/CAPXFfwLi%2BAgc3tM4%2B_Qi63G9S1MbuoyrDPSPLBoBSCuq0g7arg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Brittiny Moore [she, her]]

Hey all

Excited to be here! 

I'm an environmental educator, a writer, and a witchy creative based out of San Marcos, TX. By day, I'm the Community Enhancement Coordinator with the City of San Marcos, where I harness my creativity and passion for community engagement to design meaningful experiences and spaces that bring people closer together, embrace cultural knowledges, and empower community in a sense of belonging. My journey began at Western Kentucky University, where I studied geology, geography, and journalism. My thirst for knowledge then led me to Texas State University, where I dove deeper into hydrogeology and human geography. Since graduating in 2020, my passion has burned even brighter. I'm dedicated to cultivating inclusive spaces where marginalized identities flourish, and crafting powerful, community-based narratives to amplify voices and drive social change. 

I'm thrilled to be exploring this path with a group of such diverse perspectives!

In solidarity

Brittiny Moore (she/they)

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/deioutdoors.com/d/msgid/winter2024/BYAPR10MB36541BB6DD2B36D39B74081CC5732%40BYAPR10MB3654.namprd10.prod.outlook.com.

For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/deioutdoors.com/d/optout.

--

In solidarity

Brittiny Moore (she/her)

[Erica Jameson]

Hello, 

My name is Erica Jameson, and I run Jameson Ranch Camp, a residential program on a working ranch in the southern Sierras.  I’m the 3rd Generation owner/director of camp, and have a lot of passion for the work I do.  I come from a multi-racial family, my parents adopted five kids, and so DEI is very important.  I have been a professor of History, and I teach at the University/Community College level with my M.A.  When I’m not in the office, I enjoy traveling, horseback riding, and reading.  I live in California, at camp, during the summers, and spend the rest of my time in Southern Oregon.

I’m excited to meet you all.

Erica

Erica Jameson
Jameson Ranch Camp
Since 1934
www.jamesonranchcamp.com
er...@jamesonranchcamp.com
(661) 381-1572

On Facebook and Instagram

Schedule a Chat!

Send a child to camp through the ACA Scholarship Fund 

[Preperato, Amanda]

Hi all,

 

My name is Amanda Preperato, and I am an Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Director of the Grinnell Outdoor Recreation Program at Grinnell College in Iowa. I am still fairly new to my current role (August 2023) and previously was at the University of Maryland in College Park for 12 years as the Assistant Director of the Adventure Program. I’ve worked to include DEI topics in my student staff trainings and in the academic courses I teach. I’m looking forward to learning more with you all!

 

-Amanda

 

-- 

Amanda Preperato

Assistant Professor & Director, Grinnell Outdoor Recreation Program

she / her / hers (why I share)

 

Grinnell College

Physical Education, Athletics & Recreation

Bear Athletics Center, F122

1201 10^th Ave.

Grinnell, IA 50112

Office: 641-269-3816

 

 

 

From: Rachel Hailey <rac...@deioutdoors.com>
Date: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 11:52 AM
To: DEIO Certificate Winter 2024 <winte...@deioutdoors.com>
Subject: Welcome to the DEI Outdoors Practitioner Certification Course

External Email: This email was sent from outside Grinnell College. Treat attachments and links with caution. If this message looks suspicious, use the report phish button.

--

[Victoria Ramos-Glew]

Hi Everybody!

After reading everyone's mini-bios, I'm wondering if I belong in this group. I'm so inspired by all that you are doing, but don't work for an outdoors company or business. I have had a wide variety of jobs and experiences and am currently working at a lovely flower essence company in NH. I am outdoors whenever I can be though.  

I have a masters degree in Environmental Education, and my bachelors is in Ecology, Ethology and Evolution. I have taught Envi Sci and worked for Mass Audubon, and the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. For the past 17 years though, I've mainly been focusing on raising my two beautiful sons, and enjoying the beautiful nature of NH and VT, while volunteering and working part-time.

In the past few years, DEI has become a passion of mine, and while I was on the school board at my sons' school, I helped to start a DEI committee there. I have been leading it for 3 years now, and when I saw this course, it seemed like a natural fit. 

I am bi-racial. My father was native Peruvian and my mother is mostly European descent. I grew up knowing I was different from my friends in my predominantly white community, and wanted to hide that aspect of myself. It wasn't until a few years ago that I began to understand how color-blindness hurt me and our society at large. I am eager to bring my experiences, knowledge, openness and desire to create a more just and inclusive world to this course, and to whatever transpires from it. 

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to getting to know you!

Vicki

[Liz Guerrero]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Liz , I'm from Long Beach, California where it's always sunny and perfect for a day out in nature. I'm an AHS (American Hiking Society) NextGen Trail Leader Alumni. I have absolutely no background in outdoor education but spend a great deal of time recreating in our public open spaces. I do lead and host small groups of people in my local community on weekend adventures and hikes. I decided to take this class because I will be co-leading an AHS Volunteer Vacation later this year and want to make sure I am somewhat fit for the job (other than being passionate), as well as learn how to better make the groups I host more diverse and welcoming.  

I look forward to learning with you all for the next 6 weeks. 

Liz   

[Erin Keeley]

Hi everyone,

I'm an Occupational Therapist in Wenatchee, WA. For the past few years I've been developing and managing an adaptive cycling program to improve accessibility to outdoor recreation. Although we have so many beautiful places to explore in our area, there is a severe shortage of accessible options. My hope is to continue to grow the adaptive cycling program and eventually include other forms of adaptive recreation such as hiking and paddling.

My lens has usually focused on accessibility but I know I need to be more mindful and knowledgeable of DEI practices as I continue to grow our outdoor recreation programs. I have become more involved in community-level conversations around outdoor recreation and I am recognizing I have a lot to learn when it comes to appropriately considering diversity, equity and inclusion in an effective and productive manner. I am looking forward to learning everything this course (and my classmates!) has to offer.

-Erin Keeley

[Stefan J. Jackson]

Late bloomer that I am. Here goes: first outdoor experiences, the playground next to the Apartment Building where I was born - 1021 Greenwich St., Apt. 4, San Francisco, CA. Age 5-6, soaping up the sidewalk-side of the hardcover of a Winnie the Pooh book and "sledding" down our block on Telegraph Hill, into the arms of the older kids (my big sister & brother included) waiting on the corner for whomever was making a run. Age 6-7, moved north to Mill Valley, traded climbing scaffolding for climbing trees in the uncleared/forested lot across the street, 202 Julia Ave, Mill Valley, CA. First conservation/sanctuary experience, first-grade field trip to Audubon Canyon Ranch, Stinson Beach/Bolinas Bay, CA. Age 10, first environmental activism, writing then Governor Ronald Reagan to protest drilling and oil spill in Santa Barbara Channel in 1969.

Been doing differing forms of what now is labeled DEI work, since graduating college and being trained as in "Minority Recruitment" and joined the New England Consortium of Black Admission Counselors (the original NECBAC) in 1981.

Began blending outdoors and DEI work, after focusing on environmental and public international law, while attending The Law School of the University of Pennsylvania. Made that blend professional, the first gig I took after I got my J.D. in 1995, becoming the second, Public Policy Manager for NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School), becoming a NOLS Wilderness Instructor in 1997 and a Lead Instructor for the Master of Leave No Trace Education Course in 1998.

At NOLS, I met my spouse, then a NOLS Mountaineering and Wilderness Medical Associates Wilderness First Responder Instructor, now a Summer Camp owner and Co-Director with her brother. We live at Winona Camps in Bridgton Maine, with our BIPOC, Trans son, and absent for College BIPOC Queer daughter. Since 2001, I worked for The Nature Conservancy, two local Land Trusts before in 2014, starting my own DEI consultancy & mediation services with nature-based, outdoor, and experiential education, conservation, stewardship - kinship - as a particular focus. Clientele is national, regional, state, local orgs, schools, people.

I have been and remain on a bunch of Boards and Advisory Councils.                                          

Always eager to learn more and more, especially intrigued by culture.

SJJ

STEFAN J. JACKSON  |  President ● Principal

Pronouns: he, him, his ● they, them, their

NATURAL DIFFERENCE, LLC

(207) 749-1628  |  262 Winona Road ● Bridgton ● Maine 04009 ● USA

 

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From: Erin Keeley <kee...@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2024 11:36 PM

To: DEIO Certificate Winter 2024 <winte...@deioutdoors.com>

Cc: wander.l...@gmail.com <wander.l...@gmail.com>; vramo...@gmail.com <vramo...@gmail.com>; Preperato, Amanda <prep...@grinnell.edu>; rac...@deioutdoors.com <rac...@deioutdoors.com>
Subject: Re: Welcome to the DEI Outdoors Practitioner Certification Course

 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/deioutdoors.com/d/msgid/winter2024/f70ec658-9c07-4113-8add-e0095226e481n%40deioutdoors.com.