US Regional GLOBE Student Research Symposia provided 800+ students, most fully funded and from underserved and underrepresented groups, with the opportunity to share their GLOBE research projects with peers and STEM professionals. Presenters share 2019 evaluation summary, the challenges in creating these equitable and welcoming events, and our solutions.

Inclusion of marginalized groups in environmental education requires change from the ground up. In this discussion-based presentation, discover ways your organization can make your educational programming more welcoming for LGBTQ+ participants through shifts in language. Participants will have a chance to evaluate their own content for ways to improve their inclusiveness.

Unexamined cultural and personal narratives erode our capacities for connection with nature and silence diverse voices. Participants will learn and practice identifying and interrupting harmful narratives and replacing them with values-driven leadership stories that foster healthy group cultures and support work across boundaries of racial, economic, gender/sexuality, and power disparities. The power point and presentation are covered under an open source copyright. They can be used and redistributed freely, but require the acknowledgement of the original source. Any significant changes to the presentation need to be cleared with the original creators. The second page of the hand out contains all pertinent information about this copyright.

Unexamined cultural and personal narratives erode our capacities for connection with nature and silence diverse voices. Participants will learn and practice identifying and interrupting harmful narratives and replacing them with values-driven leadership stories that foster healthy group cultures and support work across boundaries of racial, economic, gender/sexuality, and power disparities. The power point and presentation are covered under an open source copyright. They can be used and redistributed freely, but require the acknowledgement of the original source. Any significant changes to the presentation need to be cleared with the original creators. The second page of the hand out contains all pertinent information about this copyright.

From Lonesome George to rangers in Africa, storytelling is commonly used to connect audiences of all ages to conservation. This session will focus on how to launch a successful conservation writing contest that allows people to use their voices to speak up for voiceless species around the world.

Join the discussion with Missouri Green Schools leadership about how to increase participation in Green Ribbon Schools through statewide feeder programs. We will discuss challenges and opportunities that exist to attract and support schools as they progress along the green spectrum, especially underrepresented rural and urban core schools.   

What is the role of nature centers in the age of climate change? This session is designed for nature center staff who are interested in collectively problem solving how we can play a critical role in mobilizing people to take action on climate change at the community scale. Approximately 30 participants worked in groups to brainstorm responses to the big question, as well as: How do nature centers communicate their role as climate conveners to their communities? and Who else do we need to work with? See attached notes from the session. We have a follow-up Zoom call with participants on November 21 to discuss what progress we have made in our efforts to be relevant in the age of climate change. We hope to build a network that will come together periodically to support each other and track progress. Please contact Michelle Eckman if you would like to join that Zoom call.