On today’s episode, we’re talking with someone who has been making a big impact in the larger outdoor industry for a while now. Teresa Baker, founder of In Solidarity Project, is an outdoor enthusiast focusing on community engagement, creating events that encourage people to venture outdoors responsibly, and learning about our open spaces and what it takes to protect them.

Teresa’s commitment to creating outdoor experiences that speak to culture, environmental responsibility and inclusion is something to be admired, and she is a staunch advocate for bringing underrepresented communities into the conversation and the work.

Teresa has led various organizations and initiatives that support this work, such as The Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge, the African American National Park Event and the Outdoorist Oath, to name a few. We were so thrilled to have the privilege of talking with Teresa to learn more about her determination to make a difference in the work of diversity and inclusion in outdoor spaces.

And, as 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act and the Wilderness Act, Teresa has created a campaign encouraging everyone to get outdoors, doing whatever they enjoy, between now and July. Be sure to share photos of you and your community getting outside on social media using #CivilRightsAct60 – the photos will be turned into a collage of the country celebrating and honoring the anniversaries.

Tune in to our full conversation below to learn more about Teresa and how her work may support your efforts to build more equitable, inclusive spaces and programs in your community. You’ll also learn:

· How Teresa’s work in this space began with a call to the National Park Service to tell them, “you have a diversity problem”

· How to have difficult conversations and get out of your comfort zone

· Why partnerships are key to pushing diversity, equity and inclusion work forward

· How to spend time outdoors (however works for you!) and be aware of your environmental impact

· And much more!

Related Links:

· Follow Teresa on Instagram

· Connect with Teresa on LinkedIn

· In Solidarity Project

· Outdoor Diversity Alliance

· The Outdoorist Oath

· The Outdoorist Oath on Instagram

· Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge

March is Women’s History Month, and this year’s theme celebrates women who advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion. This year we are honoring women who lead change in their field, and today’s episode does just that. There are so many women who are leaders in parks and recreation and bringing positive change to their communities, and today we’re excited to talk with two women who are leading the way in Juneau, Alaska.

Our guests today are Amanda Lovejoy, a recreation coordinator at the Zach Gordon Youth Center for City and Borough of Juneau Parks & Recreation, and Lauren Anderson is the Treadwell Arena Manager for Juneau Parks & Recreation.

Between having a primarily women-led team, facilitating programs that foster inclusion and belonging, and ensuring that every member of the Juneau community feels welcome, Juneau Parks & Recreation is doing some incredible work.

Tune in to our full conversation below to learn more about this unique community and how Amanda and Lauren are truly building a space where you belong. You’ll also learn:

• How Juneau Parks & Recreation is providing opportunities for girls, women, and trans and nonbinary youth in the community
• How the “Weaving Our Pride” project is bringing the community together and celebrating Indigenous communities in Juneau
• How Juneau’s Gender Support Group and Mindfulness Matters programs are making an impact
• Why Juneau is such a unique community, and what challenges and opportunities that presents
• And much more!

Related Links:

• City and Borough of Juneau Parks & Recreation
• Weaving Our Pride Website
• Weaving Our Pride Facebook Group
• Zach Gordon Youth Center Facebook Page

This episode of Open Space Radio is brought to you by support from CivicPlus. CivicPlus’ recreation management solution is the only comprehensive activity, facility, membership, staff and point-of-sale management solution designed exclusively for municipal parks and recreation departments by former local government parks and recreation leaders. Municipal recreation departments that choose CivicPlus increase department revenue from online transactions while fostering positive civic experiences. Learn more at www.civicplus.com.

We know the importance of partnerships in parks and recreation, and on today’s episode of Open Space Radio, we’re diving into an exciting partnership between NRPA and Bobcat. As part of this partnership, Bobcat has extended five grants, each worth $50,000, to support five park improvement projects across the country. Today, we’re excited to learn more about one of these projects taking place in San Antonio, Texas.

We were thrilled to speak with Caryn Odenbach, brand and experience specialist at Bobcat; Kristen Hansen, deputy director of parks and recreation at San Antonio River Authority; and Ayanna Williams, NRPA director of community and environmental resilience.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn how this park improvement project will expand park access, build environmental resilience, engage the community and create a sense of belonging in the San Antonio community.

You’ll also learn:

• How NRPA and Bobcat are working together to advance resilient park access in communities across the country
• How this partnership is improving and preserving Trueheart Ranch Park
• Why San Antonio will benefit from this grant and project
• How the community is being engaged throughout the project
• Why public-private partnerships are so important in parks and recreation
• And more!

Related Links:

• Trueheart Ranch Park
• San Antonio River Authority
• Bobcat Company
• NRPA and Bobcat Partnership Builds Resilient Park Access: City of Stonecrest, Georgia
• Auburndale Park's Trail Revitalization with Bobcat and NRPA