This session will illustrate the importance of developing and incorporating an urban forestry program into park operations and discuss the pros and cons of forestry being a function of a park and recreation professional versus a function of city codes or public works. Attendees will discover tools to become advocates for the development of forestry programs and make an impact by taking an active role in maintaining and caring for their respective urban canopies. This presentation also will inspire park and recreation professionals to actively be engaged in the management of their memorial tree programs, tree selection and location for parks, heat island mitigation, and best practices for preserving their local urban canopy. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. After attending this session, attendees should be able to appreciate the importance of urban canopy preservation and its direct connection to the park and recreation industry. 

2. After attending this session, attendees should be able to apply the valuable perspective of a park and recreation professional when assessing tree issues versus other city and county employees. 

3. After attending this session, attendees should be able to recognize the direct correlation of a robust tree management program with successful park programs and designs.

Park resource managers are usually well-versed in the technical aspects of natural resource management, but they frequently miss the value judgements of their constituents. Often this includes constituents they hadn't engaged from underserved communities. The average person makes their decision of whether something is OK or NOT OK in two to three seconds based on their value judgements, often with little knowledge or regard to why a management practice is being used. This can have profound impacts on your conservation plan implementation. This session will go into how value judgements are formed. Go through the need for proactive outreach being critical to a park departments conservation plans. Throughout the session, attendees will be asked OK or NOT OK to complex park related natural resources issues. Based on attendees backgrounds, everyone will see significant differences in OK or NOT OK. Stakeholder engagement, outreach, media relations and professionalism are all critical. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Identify three factors that will influence constituents value judgements of their actions. 

2. Articulate three ways to minimize negative interactions with the public regarding their natural resource management. 

3. Identify three ways to encourage diversity and inclusiveness in their natural resource planning.

This session will focus on practicing inclusive language and understanding the different types of program design that help to foster a disability-inclusive culture. We'll start by analyzing the term inclusion using person-first language, and replacing words to lose with words to live by producing language that is more empowering and positive. Next, we'll break down the different models on how programs can be offered: specialized, adaptive, integrated or authentic inclusion and outline the core elements, benefits and challenges to each model. We will wrap up with a discussion on the word special and its impact on how people with disabilities are supported to be valued members of our community. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Participants will learn to evaluate the type of program being offered, as well as state the benefits and restrictions of each type and how always moving toward authentic inclusion is the ideal progress to achieve the least restrictive environment for program participants. 

2. Participants will learn to utilize person-first language and other suggested disability inclusion interactions, giving them the tools and confidence to welcome, engage and support program participants with diverse abilities. 

3. Participants will be able to identify at least three terms (relative to the disability community) that should no longer be used, and replace those terms with acceptable positive alternatives that create a respectful and inclusive environment.

Does your agency struggle in the areas of engagement, representation, participation or retention amongst your Hispanic or Spanish-speaking community members? As social and ethnic demographics continue to change, the subject of Hispanic engagement is not a question of “if” but of “when.” This presentation will overview the specific approaches two particular agencies have taken (BCRP & MNCPPC) to pursuing a more robust Hispanic engagement strategy, as well as a more holistic representation amongst its Hispanic and Latinx constituents. The methodology will focus specifically on the areas of hiring, programming and training while simultaneously illustrating how the importance of a more collaborative, grassroots approach can lead to the greatest levels of success.

Learning Objectives:

1. After attending this session, attendees should be able to use tools to assess the efficacy of their agency’s own outreach and engagement efforts amongst its Hispanic constituency.

2. After attending this session, attendees should be able to incorporate specific tools when attempting to expand Hispanic and Latinx representation amongst its labor force.

3. After attending this session, attendees should be able to identify specific areas of training, education and workplace practices that would serve to establish a more equitable and accommodating environment for Hispanic staff and patrons alike.

Many organizations have made good progress in improving the diversity of their workforce in recent years. But could understanding and embracing intersectionality help them enhance the experience of all employees? Intersectionality is the overlapping and intersection of such identities, recognizing the differences between and within them and the overall effect this can have on an individual’s experiences. It is vital that organizations not only promote diversity within their organization, but also understand how different people are affected and take the necessary action to mitigate adverse outcomes. Many still consider their diversity efforts by addressing distinct, singular attributes — such as gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality and disability. The reality is that many of the characteristics overlap and intersect.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the concept of Intersectionality and its importance when addressing diversity, equity and inclusion.
2. Learn the key components of intersectionality and identify their own intersectionality.
3. Identify six ways an organization can address intersectionality at the workplace.

Completed in 2022, the Park Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+) is a national model for park equity and planning. Parks, open spaces, recreation facilities, trails and gardens are essential community infrastructure, but not all communities have access to these resources. The PNA+ identifies priority areas for regional and rural recreation - based on population vulnerability factors - along with environmental conservation and restoration, which form the basis of a 30x30 strategy for Los Angeles County. This session with provide an overview of the data collection, analysis, community outreach and engagement, findings and next steps to address park equity while looking at the need to include restoration of degraded lands, such as brownfields, landfills and oil fields, which negatively impact lower income communities of color where vulnerable populations and environmental burdens are concentrated.

Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will understand dimensions of population vulnerability and the power of data to identify need in their own communities.
2. Participants will understand the importance of including restoration in the conservation of parks and open space discussion.
3. Participants will discuss the need for demographic data and analysis in their groups decision-making processes to ensure park equity (going beyond the 10-minute walk metric).

Building from “The Health Benefits of Parks and Their Economic Impacts: Review of the Literature” and “A Framework for Assessing Equitable Health Outcomes of Parks: Guidance for Park Practitioners and Local Leaders,” the evidence on the contribution of parks and green spaces to the health and well-being of communities is clear. When parks and green spaces are equitable, so that community members — regardless of race, income, age or any other characteristic — have access to the space, the health benefits are magnified. Although there already is substantial research evidence on these topics, park professionals seek digestible and clear topline messages to package and share with decision-makers on resource allocation, future development and strategic investments.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the economic implications from the health benefits of parks.
2. Estimate the economic benefits.
3. Identify park characteristics and examine who has access.

Congrats! You're a supervisor... What the rec now?! Transitioning into a supervisory role can seem intimidating, but it does not have to be. Understanding the different types of leadership styles and what type of leader you want to be will be imperative to your professional success. During this session we will focus on proven strategies to assist in the successful transition to your new role, as well as gain a clear understanding of the core differences between managing a team and leading a team. This session will set you up to be the supervisor and leader your team and organization deserves.

Learning Objectives:
1. Attendees will learn proven strategies to help them transition more easily into their new supervisory role.
2. Attendees will learn different leadership styles and which styles best resonates with them.
3. Attendees will leave understanding the core differences between managing and leading a team.

Come hear how four women from different backgrounds, with different size agencies and in different size populations all rose to the level of park and recreation agency director. Hear their experiences and the steps they took to make it to the top. Ask your questions to gain insight on what it takes to become a director in the ever-changing field of parks and recreation. Ask what directors are looking for when they hire staff and who they look to promote to the top. Come and experience an open panel conversation about the highs and lows on the rise to the top that these panelist experienced as they have progressed through their careers. With more than 70 combined years in the field of parks and recreation, this exciting panel has lots to share.

Learning Objectives:
1. Learn what agency directors look for in the staff they hire and promote.
2. Understand what steps you should take for upward mobility in the field of parks and recreation.
3. Participate and hear open dialogue to answer the questions you really want to ask about the upward mobility of women in parks and recreation.

You’re getting ready to open a new recreation center — now what? For many park and recreation professionals, the opening of a community recreation center enables a quantum leap in the services they can offer. This session uses recent, first-hand testimony and benchmarking data from facilities around the country to provide a behind-the-scenes look at strategies and processes to set up your center for success. Woven throughout will be the story behind the design considerations that went into Lewisville, Texas’ THRIVE Recreation Center. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the necessary preparation before, during and after their centers opens — ultimately ensuring its long-term success.

Learning Objectives:
1. Define the required components of successful planning, design and operations of a new community center.
2. Recognize challenges staff encounter when developing operational parameters.
3. Increase performance through disciplined analysis of internal processes and benchmarking of similar facilities.