The 2021 Annual Connecticut Conference on Natural Resources (CCNR) and Connecticut Outdoor & Environmental Education Association (COEEA) Joint Annual Conference is a multidisciplinary conference bringing together individuals working with natural resource and environmental management and education in Connecticut to share research, information, and ideas.

This year’s conference theme is "Creating a More Equitable and Inclusive Environmental Sector". The sentiment “many resources, one environment” reflects the conference vision that, while many of us focus our efforts on conservation of particular natural resources, Connecticut has but one environment, and we all benefit professionally and personally by collaborating and learning together. Our aim is to promote information exchange and a sense of community among professionals who are committed to the care and education of Connecticut’s natural resources and environmental education. We hope you will come enjoy a blend of dynamic sessions as we share about and recognize the achievements of dedicated conservation and environmental education individuals and groups.

The conference is for all those working in natural resources and environmental education across many sectors, including state and federal government, academia, non- governmental organizations, nature centers, schools, and the engaged public who interface within these sectors.

The conference opening ceremony includes the Plenary Panel "BIPOC Early Environmental Professionals: Stories & Reflections to Guide Ways Forward" featuring:

• Wanjiku Gatheru - ​Environmental Justice Advocate & Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford
• ​Alex Rodriguez - ​Climate Advocate, including youth & community organizing, at Save the Sound
• Dr. Holly Brown - Ecologist & STEM Ed Researcher at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
• ​Noah Schlager - Conservation Program Manager at Native Seeds/SEARCH
• ​Dickens Molo - Climate Change-Food Security Researcher & Environ. Sustainability Advocate for Myclimate
• ​FACILITATOR: Dr. Stephany Santos - ​Associate Director of Engineering Diversity & Outreach Center

The conference Keynote Speaker is Parker McMullen Bushman, with a talk entitled "Making the Outdoors Welcoming Spaces for All People." Parker McMullen Bushman is the Colorado State University Director of Extension for the City and County of Denver, the Founder of Ecoinclusive, the creator of KWEEN WERK, and the co-founder of Inclusive Journeys. Parker tackles complex issues of equity and inclusion in conservation and the outdoors by addressing them through head on activism and education.

Parker will also facilitate the workshop "Inclusion in Outdoor Recreation - Examining Culture & Bias." This workshop will introduce learners to the concepts of implicit bias and encourage learners to explore and reflect upon how personal values, biases and assumptions can impact the quality of daily work that we do. Building a more inclusive outdoor movement requires us to examine these deeply subconscious attitudes that span race, gender, appearance, age, wealth and much more. Throughout this presentation, Parker will examine our personal cultural competence and, increasing our ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with all people.