Cultivating a New Generation of Diverse Environmental Leaders — Episode 060

Parks everywhere serve as a gateway to nature and the great
outdoors. As stewards of these spaces, it’s our responsibility to
cultivate the next generation of diverse environmental leaders
that will utilize and protect these spaces for generations to
come.


To assist park agencies with this important work, NRPA recently
collaborated with renowned expert and author, Angelou Ezeilo, to
host an interactive diversity workshop at our headquarters in
Ashburn, Virginia, and we’re thrilled to have her join us on the
show.


Angelou is the founder and CEO of Greening Youth Foundation, an
organization that focuses on the recruitment and placement of
thousands of youth and young adults from diverse backgrounds in
careers in conservation and land management. Her book, Engage,
Connect, Protect: Empowering Young Diverse Environmental Leaders,
illustrates the lifelong pursuit of inclusion and equity in
conservation and environmental stewardship.


On today’s episode, we chat with Angelou about her journey and
the work she is doing to bridge the cultural divide and activate
a new generation of environmental stewards, as well as why it’s
so important to foster a love for this kind of mission.


We also chat about why culturally relevant curriculum is
necessary to engage more diverse youth in environmental
conservation, and how intentional and thoughtful partnerships can
help park and recreation agencies work with diverse youth in
their own communities.


We discuss why it’s important to have these discussions — even
when they may make us feel uncomfortable or unsure. Talking is
more important than not talking, and it gets easier the more we
do it.


To learn more about Angelou’s inspiring work, tune in to the full
episode below, and be sure to check out these resources, as well:


Greening Youth Foundation

Angelou’s website

The State of Diversity in Environmental Organizations:
Mainstream NGOs, Foundations & Government Agencies (report)