Find out more here about the goals of the Speaker Series and about Flying Deer’s commitment to educating ourselves and increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work and our organization.
Sunday, March 24, 2024, 4:00 pm
I’m Not Playin’: Introducing Black & Brown Urban Youth to Nature
with Vanessa Baehr, environmental educator, Flying Deer Instructor
In this inspiring and enlightening event, Flying Deer instructor Vanessa Baehr shared insights into the challenges and rewards of introducing Black and Brown youth from urban communities to the wonders of the natural world. Drawing from her experiences in the field, Vanessa explained the importance of supporting marginalized populations to experience greater comfort and connection in nature.
More about Vanessa: Vanessa is an accomplished environmental educator and landscape gardener who has worked on numerous projects within these fields, ranging from community gardens and ecological restoration initiatives to advisory boards and after-school programs throughout Columbia County. Driven by her passion for history, culture, and community, Vanessa offers a unique perspective at the intersection of urban life and environmentalism.
Download a PDF of Vanessa’s PowerPoint presentation.
Download Vanessa’s list of BIPOC environmental resources.
Watch an excerpt from the talk:
Thursday, October 26, 2023, 5:30 pm
Exploring the Past, Present, and Future of the Outdoor Industry
with Rachel Hailey, Founder & Transformationalist, DEI Outdoors
Drawing from personal experiences and adventures, this session introduced the diverse voices and perspectives that have shaped our connection with nature, delving deep into the historical landscape of outdoor spaces and shedding light on the challenges faced by marginalized communities and the strides being made toward inclusivity and representation.
With personal narratives and insightful anecdotes, Rachel unveiled the lesser-known stories of individuals who have long been underrepresented in outdoor spaces. She traced the roots of systemic barriers that have hindered access and participation while also celebrating the trailblazers who have fought for change and carved out a path for future generations.
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Shawn Stevens (Red Eagle) of the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohicans
A highlight from the talk …
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
How to Talk to Children About Race and Racism
with Rivdan Foxhall
Do you find it challenging to talk with your child about race? Would you like to raise a child who embraces the concept of the oneness of humanity, and can engage in a discourse on race with respect and empathy? This presentation introduced parents to simple ways to engage in meaningful conversations with children about race and racism.
More about Rivdan: Ridvan Foxhall has more than 20 years of experience advancing education, the arts, and racial healing. She is a licensed occupational therapist and Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator who serves children and youth with special needs and their families. In 2006, she created the Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) in Peekskill, New York, a program that serves a diverse group of children ages 8–17. CTC is dedicated to building character on stage through the performing arts and instilling in children a sense that they can share in the community’s interests and be a positive voice of change in the world. Ridvan (pronounced RIZ-wan) is also the founder and executive director of New Era Creative Space (NECS), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire stronger communities through creative programs. NECS offers yearlong creative and innovative programs for children and youth with an emphasis on social action.
Thursday, October 7, 2021
Connections to the Land and Bodies: A Migrant and Multicultural Perspective
with Johana Castillo
Johana offered a brief history of the migrant workforce in agriculture in the United States, allowing us to better understand who they are and their deep connections to land and to this continent. The conversation touched on the importance of acknowledging how displacement and lack of land access and legalization continues to affect the bodies, families, and communities of Indigenous people.
More about Johana: Born and raised in Colombia, Johana is the creator of MamaTortuga.org, a multicultural, eco-conscious, and mindful bilingual website for parents and community with the mission to raise and support global citizens. She offers classes in English and Spanish, speaks at conferences, and supports and organizes events that are mindful and eco-conscious and seek to bring justice and awareness to our multicultural connections and relationships. Johana collaborated with a multicultural and global collective of women to write the book Raising the Global Mindset, on how to raise conscious, multicultural, and anti-racist families.
Johana shared a comprehensive list of resources on this topic with our community.
Thursday, May 6, 2021
Community Care Techniques: Seed Starting, Propagation, and Strategic Planting and Tending
with Estephanie Martinez-Alfonzo
Estephanie joined us for an exploration of how we think of and create community. She spoke on topics including false and real dichotomies and perceptions, expanding senses of identity, symbiotic relationships, and approaches and tools for organizations and community members.
Please note that this recording contains references to sexual violence and addiction that may be triggering.
More about Estephanie: Estephanie Martinez-Alfonzo is committed to tending land and community, and to uplifting the deep nature connection inherent in all people, but especially urban folks, BIPOC folks, and anyone who feel like these ancestral skills are hard to access. Her journey has taken her from Venezuela to Boston to Maine, where she is currently on staff at Wildwood Path: Nature Connection for Social Change. Estephanie spends her time learning about social justice, taking care of plants and dogs and bees and people, and dreaming up rad curriculum ideas to specifically support nature connection as an avenue for anti-racism and social justice.
Thursday, October 29, 2020
Uplifting Black Connection to Outdoor Spaces
with Chaya Harris of Outdoor Afro
More than 85 people attended a virtual lecture delivered by Chaya Harris, National Program Director at Outdoor Afro, and followed by a Q&A. Chaya addressed the questions, How have historical forces of racism and inequality impacted how Black people experience nature? How can individuals and organizations work toward healing this history and reconnecting Black people with the natural world? She began the talk by sharing images of her own journey of nature connection, beginning in Boston, where her love for nature grew from camping with her family, playing sports, and looking for the fastest hills for sledding. She also shared a video that movingly portrayed Outdoor Afro’s work creating opportunities for outdoor experiences and conservation stewardship. Through its network of nearly 80 leaders in 42 states around the country, Outdoor Afro is reconnecting thousands of people to nature and helping to voice Black influence on public lands.
Unfortunately, we didn’t capture all of the talk, but the video recording begins as Chaya segues into a discussion of how white supremacy and racial injustice over the decades have affected Black people’s relationship with nature. She used the graphic below as a launching point.
More about Chaya: A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Chaya also earned a Master’s in journalism from Northwestern University. As an educator with Boston Public Schools for nearly 10 years, she learned about fostering natural curiosity and making space for children to build on their intuitive knowledge and skills. As a Principal Fellow with the Lynch Leadership Academy at Boston College, she deepened her commitment to dismantling oppressive systems, and increasing agency and access for Black people. Chaya first joined the Outdoor Afro team as a volunteer Leader. After a stint as Director of Curriculum at Thompson Island Outward Bound, she landed home as the National Program Officer at Outdoor Afro. She’s currently reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer and The Living Blood of the African Immortal Series by Tananarive Due.