Name: General Session: Engaging with Different Perspectives in Wildlife Viewing: Organizational and Personal Experiences - Sponsored by US Forest Service
Start: 2022-02-24T13:00:00-0700
End: 2022-02-24T16:30:00-0700

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General Session: Engaging with Different Perspectives in Wildlife Viewing: Organizational and Personal Experiences - Sponsored by US Forest Service

PART 1:
Presenters: Dr. Rosezetta Bobo, Diversity Officer, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; George Braxton, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources; David Buggs, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Christopher Kennedy, Assistant to the Director on Inclusion and Diversity, Missouri Department of Conservation

This workshop will explore the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion while addressing sensitivity and unconscious bias in today’s conservation community. The focus will be on how we can all address these concepts to assist in becoming more engaging to the wildlife viewing and nature tourism community. This session will be interactive with realistic audience participation to help prompt learners to think about their own assumptions, behaviors, and experiences, enabling us all to engage in dialogue that moves everyone forward. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the many benefits of an inclusive culture and how to better engage with new audiences. Four diversity officers from four different state agencies will help guide this discussion while sharing what they are doing in their states to help change the culture of fish and game agencies to be more diverse and inclusive. They will share examples of work they have accomplished both in their workforce D&I efforts and with the constituents they serve. Join us to learn more about real life examples of what is working (or hasn’t worked in some cases) to start slowly moving the needle in a positive direction for diversity and inclusion.

PART 2:
Presenters: Tiara Chapman, Nature Programs Coordinator, Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area; Cam Juarez, Community Engagement Coordinator, Saguaro National Park; Jeff Trollinger, Asst. Chief, Aquatic Wildlife Resources Division, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

The second part of this session focuses on the personal experience of colleagues from around the country who work in the natural resource field. Tiara, Cam and Jeff will share their experiences as members of minority groups who started and have then continued to work in nature tourism, wildlife viewing, and natural resource conservation. In addition to explaining some of the personal challenges and issues they have encountered, they will also share how they have effected change and used their personal experiences to continue working in this field, making sure that outdoor recreation and opportunities are open to all.

Speakers

Tiara Chapman

Nature Programs Coordinator, Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area

Tiara Chapman (she/her) is a bonafide Nature Nerd who inspires her community to run, jump, play, and explore at Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area and greenspaces throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Tiara knows that personal connections to nature can bring about healing... Read More →

Dr. Rosezetta Bobo

Diversity Officer, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Dr. Rosezetta Bobo is a nationally-recognized expert with over 20 years of experience in mediation, cultural competence, diversity and inclusion, conflict resolution, restorative justice, and community engagement for a diverse range of organizations and community settings. She has... Read More →

George Braxton

Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

George P. Braxton is an attorney and certified diversity executive who serves as the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Virginia’s Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). Prior to joining DWR, he was the chief diversity officer at the Defense Contract Management Agency and... Read More →

David Buggs

Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Texas Parks and Wildlife

David Buggs is the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), an agency of the state of Texas. His role is developing and managing the execution of TPWD’s Diversity and Inclusion strategy. David is also the former Chief Diversity and... Read More →

Christopher Kennedy

Assistant to the Director on Inclusion and Diversity, Missouri Department of Conservation

Christopher Kennedy is a native Missourian, began his 25-year career with Missouri Department of Conservation by assisting private landowners with pond and stream management, managing public lakes, and conducting public aquatic resource education. He also led research and restoration... Read More →

Cam Juarez

Community Engagement Coordinator, Saguaro National Park

Cam Juárez was born near Yuma, Arizona in 1972. Growing up as the son of humble migrant farm workers and with a physical disability, Cam faced many challenges in his formative years, including poverty, bullying and systemic discrimination. Despite this, he managed to graduate high... Read More →

Jeffrey Trollinger

Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator, VA Department of Wildlife Resources

Jeff has worked with or for the Department (DWR) since 1987 where he began as an undergraduate at Virginia Tech.Jeff is originally from Luray, Virginia. He has B.S. in Wildlife Management from Virginia Tech, a second B.S. Human Resource Management from Bluefield College and almost... Read More →

Thursday February 24, 2022 1:00pm - 4:30pm MST
TBA

General Session

4th Wildlife Viewing & Nature Tourism Academy