Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education

Nature for All: Redefining Inclusivity in the Outdoors [Panel]

Date/Time

4/3/2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern

Event Registration

Event Type(s)

AORE Programming
Webinar

Event Description

Discover how we can break down barriers and inspire connection to nature for communities often left out of traditional outdoor spaces. This engaging panel features Jessica Carrillo Alatorre (Bring it Outside program), Heather West (LOOP NOLA), and Joe Stone (Dovetail Trails Consulting), who will share their experiences and insights on empowering marginalized communities, including young kids, adaptive programming,, rural and urban residents, Latine, immigrant, refugee, and BIPOC families.

Explore how outdoor engagement doesn’t always mean epic hikes or far-flung adventures—sometimes, it starts with a simple visit through a neighborhood park. Join us to learn how we can redefine what it means to enjoy the outdoors and make nature accessible for all.

Panelists:

	Heather West, LOOP NOLA Heather West is the Executive Director at LOOP NOLA and has worked with youth-based nonprofits in the outdoor education field since 2009. She worked for Outward Bound for over five years, leading 3-4 week canoeing and backpacking expeditions for at-risk youth. After moving back to New Orleans, Heather began working for LOOP NOLA in 2016 as the Program Director and transitioned to the Executive Director role in 2022. She spends her spare time sailing, playing outside with her husband and dog, and enjoying New Orleans culture.
	Joe Stone, Dovetail Trail Consulting Joe is an avid outdoor adventurer whose life took a dramatic turn in 2010 when a speed flying accident left him as an incomplete C7 quadriplegic. Despite this challenge, Joe has continued to pursue his passions, becoming an experienced adaptive mountain biker, hiker, and paraglider.Before founding Dovetail, Joe served as Executive Director of Teton Adaptive in Jackson, WY, where he led initiatives supporting outdoor recreation for people with disabilities. Over the years, he has collaborated with trail crews, land management agencies, mountain bike festivals, resorts, and nonprofit organizations across the country, all focused on enhancing access and opportunities for those with disabilities. In addition to his work in outdoor recreation, Joe is a dedicated advocate for disability rights, with extensive knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). He is deeply involved in efforts to ensure that the disability community's voices are heard and that greater opportunities for inclusion and accessibility continue to grow.
	Courtney Schultz, PhD, OutGrown Dr. Courtney Schultz is the Executive Partner at OutGrown, a national nonprofit that for more than a decade has been dedicated to bridging the Baby Nature Gap by helping families with children aged 0–5 connect with nature. With extensive experience leading projects for local, state, and federal agencies, Dr. Schultz specializes in designing behavioral research that improves health outcomes through parks, natural landscapes, and outdoor recreation. Her work emphasizes inclusive design practices and systems thinking to enhance visitor experiences, focusing on underserved communities and ensuring that conservation and recreation support public health goals. Dr. Schultz is also the Executive Director of Health & Technology Partners, a social science research consultancy, and Adjunct Faculty for the University of Missouri. Dr. Schultz holds a Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management from NC State University, along with a BS and a MS in Parks and Recreation Management from the University of Missouri.

Heather West, LOOP NOLA

Heather West is the Executive Director at LOOP NOLA and has worked with youth-based nonprofits in the outdoor education field since 2009. She worked for Outward Bound for over five years, leading 3-4 week canoeing and backpacking expeditions for at-risk youth. After moving back to New Orleans, Heather began working for LOOP NOLA in 2016 as the Program Director and transitioned to the Executive Director role in 2022. She spends her spare time sailing, playing outside with her husband and dog, and enjoying New Orleans culture.

Joe Stone, Dovetail Trail Consulting

Joe is an avid outdoor adventurer whose life took a dramatic turn in 2010 when a speed flying accident left him as an incomplete C7 quadriplegic. Despite this challenge, Joe has continued to pursue his passions, becoming an experienced adaptive mountain biker, hiker, and paraglider.Before founding Dovetail, Joe served as Executive Director of Teton Adaptive in Jackson, WY, where he led initiatives supporting outdoor recreation for people with disabilities. Over the years, he has collaborated with trail crews, land management agencies, mountain bike festivals, resorts, and nonprofit organizations across the country, all focused on enhancing access and opportunities for those with disabilities.

In addition to his work in outdoor recreation, Joe is a dedicated advocate for disability rights, with extensive knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). He is deeply involved in efforts to ensure that the disability community's voices are heard and that greater opportunities for inclusion and accessibility continue to grow.

Courtney Schultz, PhD, OutGrown

Dr. Courtney Schultz is the Executive Partner at OutGrown, a national nonprofit that for more than a decade has been dedicated to bridging the Baby Nature Gap by helping families with children aged 0–5 connect with nature. With extensive experience leading projects for local, state, and federal agencies, Dr. Schultz specializes in designing behavioral research that improves health outcomes through parks, natural landscapes, and outdoor recreation. Her work emphasizes inclusive design practices and systems thinking to enhance visitor experiences, focusing on underserved communities and ensuring that conservation and recreation support public health goals. Dr. Schultz is also the Executive Director of Health & Technology Partners, a social science research consultancy, and Adjunct Faculty for the University of Missouri. Dr. Schultz holds a Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management from NC State University, along with a BS and a MS in Parks and Recreation Management from the University of Missouri.

Location

Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education
UNITED STATES

Details

Please use the button 'Register for this Event' to the left for any of the following:

(4.3) Webinar: Nature for All: Redefining Inclusivity in the Outdoors
(4.10) Webinar: The 7 Principles of DEI for the Outdoor Educator
(4.17) Webinar: The Declassified Field Guide to an Outdoors For All
(4.24) Inclusive Summit - LIVE WORKSHOPS
Inclusivity in the Outdoor Bundle (includes all of the above)
Group Registration

Registration Rates

		Member	Member	Non Member
		(Professional, Student Professional, Outdoor Champion)	(Supporter, Student Supporter)
April 3 Webinar: Nature for All: Redefining Inclusivity in the Outdoors		Free	$10	$25
April 10 Webinar: The 7 Principles of DEI for the Outdoor Educator		Free	$10	$25
April 17 Webinar: The Declassified Field Guide to an Outdoors For All		Free	$10	$25
April 24 Inclusive Summit - LIVE WORKSHOPS		Early: $99 (by April 4, 2025) Late: $149	Early: $99 (by April 4, 2025) Late: $149	Early: $149 (by April 4, 2025) Late: $199
	Includes: • Workbook • Welcome/Workbook Review Session • Workshop 1 • Workshop 2 • Workshop 3	Early: $99 (by April 4, 2025) Late: $149	Early: $99 (by April 4, 2025) Late: $149	Early: $149 (by April 4, 2025) Late: $199
Inclusivity in the Outdoors Bundle		Early: $99 (by April 4, 2025) Late: $149	Early: $115 (by April 4, 2025) Late: $165	Early: $199 (by April 4, 2025) Late: $249
	Includes: • April 3 Webinar: Nature for All: Redefining Inclusivity in the Outdoors • April 10 Webinar: The 7 Principles of DEI for the Outdoor Educator • April 17 Webinar: The Declassified Field Guide to an Outdoors for All • April 24: Inclusive Summit - LIVE WORKSHOPS	Early: $99 (by April 4, 2025) Late: $149	Early: $115 (by April 4, 2025) Late: $165	Early: $199 (by April 4, 2025) Late: $249

Group Registration

		Member	Non Member
Inclusivity in the Outdoors Bundle		1-10 Attendees: $499 11-20 Attendees: $1499	1-10 Attendees: $999 11-20 Attendees: $1999
	Includes: • April 3 Webinar: Nature for All: Redefining Inclusivity in the Outdoors • April 10 Webinar: The 7 Principles of DEI for the Outdoor Educator • April 17 Webinar: The Declassified Field Guide to an Outdoors for All • April 24 Inclusive Summit - LIVE WORKSHOPS	1-10 Attendees: $499 11-20 Attendees: $1499	1-10 Attendees: $999 11-20 Attendees: $1999

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4/3/2025

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