Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources

Parks & Trails New York encourages Friends groups and other partners to be inclusive and welcoming to all visitors in their projects and programs. This includes taking into account people of different backgrounds, race, language, age, gender, abilities, LGBT+, etc.

Here are some resources that we provide Park and Trail Partnership Grants applicants to help with developing a welcoming and engaging project that is accessible to individuals and communities from different backgrounds and with varying abilities.

Friends-to-Friends Workshop: "Yes, there was slavery in New York & it was common"

 

In this second Friends-to-Friends workshop of 2023, Lavada Nahon, Interpreter of African American History for NYS OPRHP-Bureau of Historic Sites, provides a baseline of New York's involvement in the Institution of Slavery in her presentation "Yes, there was slavery in New York & it was common." We also examine State Park's "Our Whole History" initiative to bring forward the under-told stories of all the people who lived at NY State Historic Sites, and explore the integral role Friends groups can have in this initiative.

Diversity Resources in the Outdoors, Science, & Environmental Justice Extensive list from the DEC of articles, blogs, podcasts, curriculum, and environmental justice organizations.
ADA Accessibility Coordinators DEC list of staff by region who can provide the proper assistance for applying proper accessibility measures into projects.
Diversify Outdoors Articles and blogs focusing on how to make the outdoors more inclusive.
Outdoors Empowered Network A national network of community-led, youth-centered outdoor education groups that are dedicated to increasing access and diversity in the outdoors through gear libraries and outdoor leadership training.
Outdoor Afro Outdoor Afro has become the nation’s leading, cutting edge network that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. We help people take better care of themselves, our communities, and our planet!
Latino Outdoors Latino Outdoors is a unique Latinx-led organization working to create a national community of leaders in conservation and outdoor education. As part of this work, we are focused on expanding and amplifying the Latinx experience in the outdoors.
Venture Out Project The Venture Out Project is committed to facilitating backpacking and wilderness trips for the queer and trans community in a safe and inclusive environment. We also provide comprehensive inclusion workshops for educators, adventure professionals, summer/day camps and more.
KABOOM! “Working to Achieve Playspace Equity” We envision an America where every kid can get the play they need to thrive, regardless of race, zip code and family income. When we achieve playspace equity, kids will be able to play close to where they live and learn, and those playspaces will be high quality and built upon the desires of the community.
Be a Goat Getting LGBTQ people outdoors while carving a path for better, more authentic LGBTQ representation in the outdoor industry.

DEI Resources for Members