Led by Parker McMullen Bushman, CEO and founder of Ecoinclusive Strategies, Equity Training for the Conservation Community was developed to specifically address the challenges and needs of people working on environmental issues at any scale and in any location.

Session Goals

• Work in facilitated sessions led by Parker to review programs and consider changes
• Consider and talk about the effect that ableism, racism, sexism, homophobia, and poverty might have on how the programs have been built and how stories have been told before
• Use the review lens of Accessibility, Race and Ethnicity Inclusivity, Gender, Sexual Orientation and Trans Inclusivity and Economic Equity to reflect on individual and organizational practices
• Develop strategies for creating engaging and meaningful programming for diverse audiences

Our goal is to advance awareness and knowledge about equity and justice issues, engage new constituencies and partners, and build conservation capacity that is sensitive to culture, gender, and other differences. 

Recorded Sessions Available Until March 2026
Missed the live sessions? You can register for the recorded sessions to receive a link to the recordings and gain access to the wealth of resources provided by the instructor. The recordings are only available through March 2026. 

• Why DEI is Vital to Conservation
• Understanding Privilege and Microagressions
• Visioning for Effective Allyship
• Organization Review Lens
• Inclusive Leadership: Building Culturally Competent Organizations and Effectively Leading Diverse Teams

Parker McMullen Bushman (She/They) is CEO and Founder of Ecoinclusive Strategies, and Co- founder of Inclusive Guide. Listed by Outside Magazine as one of the 20 Most Influential People in the Outdoor Industry, Parker is a dynamic speaker and facilitator that engages organizations in new thinking around what it means to be a diversity change agent and create dynamic organizational change. Parker’s background in the non-profit leadership, conservation, environmental education, and outdoor recreation fields spans over 24+ years. Parker has a passion for equity and inclusion in outdoor spaces. Parker tackles these complex issues by addressing them through head-on activism and education. Parker has a Master of Natural Resources from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, with a focus in Interpretation and Environmental Education. They lead several committees that focus on diversity in environmental fields as well as a presenter and trainer on diversity issues. They also sit on the board of Environmental Learning for Kids, Nation Association for Interpretation, and The Next 100 Coalition.

Follow Parker on Facebook or LinkedIn. 

Why is the Alliance offering this FREE training?

The partners of the Chicago Wilderness Alliance are committed to understanding and implementing changes that increase justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and in our communities. In 2021, the Alliance launched a Culture and Inclusion Survey to capture feedback anonymously. More than 500 people participated. Based on the survey results, and thanks to our generous sponsors, the Alliance is providing complimentary justice and equity training for its partner organizations and all people in the conservation community region-wide. 

Additional JEDI Resources

• 2021 Chicago Wilderness Alliance workshops: Increasing Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Our Workplaces and Communities, led by Cream City Conservation
• Equity resources
• Green Vision Initiative: Increasing Equitable Access to Nature
  

With appreciation to our sponsors:

This work is supported by the US Forest Service and theIllinois Dept. of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program.

Cafes help more communities improve urban tree canopy forests across the region and participate in Tree City USA. These institutions are an equal opportunity provider.