Birchill Access Consultancy Ltd’s Post

The outdoors should be a space where everyone feels welcome, yet many communities still face barriers. Being an ally in outdoor spaces is about fostering inclusivity, listening to diverse voices, and advocating for equitable access to nature. Whether it's amplifying underrepresented perspectives, learning about challenges others face, or supporting efforts to create more inclusive outdoor experiences, each of us can make a difference. Read the guide here to becoming a stronger ally in the outdoors: https://lnkd.in/ePbHRgxe

Ensuring equitable access to outdoor recreation is a challenge, despite California's extensive park system. The efforts of advocates like Ed Price and organizations such as Access Northern California aim to address these barriers, promoting inclusivity in outdoor activities. https://lnkd.in/gFVZ4NMt #OutdoorAccess #InclusiveRecreation #EquitableTrails #AccessibleOutdoors #InclusionMovement

Join LandPaths, Sonoma County Ag + Open Space District, and me for a hike around the beautiful Myers preserve to warm up before doing a heart-centered yoga session. After yoga, we will enjoy lunch, take in the beauty of the preserve, and connect in community. This outing is part of LandPaths’ new Branch Out series, centering LGBTQ+ community members with the purpose of creating a sense of belonging and inclusive spaces in the outdoors! Allies are welcomed! All abilities and experience levels are welcome to join this outing. Details: We will ask you to sign a waiver of liability. There is no potable water on the property. We ask that you leave your pets at home for this event. There are no restrooms on the property. About the area: This nearly 800 acre preserve stewarded by LandPaths in western Sonoma County teems with native coastal grasslands, canyons, pristine ponds and streams, mixed oak woodlands, redwoods, and a habitat garden that benefits pollinators, birds, and humans alike. A breath-taking abundance of plant and animal life call this place home. Thanks to strong community interest, a small group of angel funders, and the promise that Ocean Song’s stunning beauty would be locally owned and protected forever, LandPaths was able to purchase the land and start cleaning up the property in November 2019. Since then, LandPaths has continued to invest in cleaning up Ocean Song’s old buildings and resolving a lengthy list of code violations from prior to when they became the property’s stewards. What to bring: Bottle of water, snacks, and lunch for the day Comfortable clothing to protect from the sun (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen) Comfortable walking shoes (that can get dirty) Yoga mat Where we will meet you: Driving and parking instructions will be sent out to you 2-3 days before the outing by field specialist, Roxy Layden. Accessibility: If you have accessibility questions, please call or email with any questions or concerns you may have. To sign up: Visit landpaths.org>calendar>event page Do you need help registering? email roxy@landpaths.org Thanks to LandPaths and Ag + Open Space for co-creating this event! #commonthreadyoga #communityyogahike #sonomacountypride

What does this photo say to you? To me it says exclusion. Exclusion: the act of not allowing someone to take part in an activity, discussion, decision or to enter a place others can access. Inaccessible: Something / someone that is not reachable, attainable, approachable. A barrier that excludes participation. A photo taken in Canterbury, yesterday of pigeons doing what pigeons do, but although these pigeons and duck share the same space, the pigeons here have turned their backs, formed a tight knit circle and the duck is unable to participate, in sharing in the feast, perhaps it is so tight knit, even other pigeons can’t participate either. How inclusive and accessible are the things we offer, see, walk past, enjoy every day. A very basic question but one that needs to be asked, one we need to ask ourselves when and where we see exclusion, or inaccessibility. Take a look around your local area today, look around your workplace, your park, your beach, your shops, town or city centre. How inclusive and accessible are we? What prevents inclusion and access? #inclusion #accessible #accessibility #animals #challenge #bekind #birds

How connected do you feel to nature, your community, and yourself? 🌿✨🌍 As we strive to foster deeper connections with the world around us, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute to a more harmonious and compassionate society. Let's reflect on the ways we can strengthen our bonds with nature, our communities, and ourselves. Whether it's spending time outdoors, volunteering locally, or practicing self-care, every small step we take has the power to create positive change. Together, let's embrace our interconnectedness and work towards a more balanced and mindful way of living. 🌱💫 #aloneshow #nicoleapelian #naturalwellness #natureswellness #wilderness #nature #getoutside #natureconnection #naturalconnection #connectiontonature #holisticwellness #communityengagement #selfreflection #interconnectedness #harmoniousliving #compassionatesociety #mindfulliving #naturelove #communitycare #selfawareness #outdoorreflection #selfcompassion #naturebonding #communitysupport #selfgrowth #selfcarejourney #natureappreciation #selfdevelopment #selflovejourney #selfdiscovery

How connected do you feel to nature, your community, and yourself? 🌿✨🌍 As we strive to foster deeper connections with the world around us, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute to a more harmonious and compassionate society. Let's reflect on the ways we can strengthen our bonds with nature, our communities, and ourselves. Whether it's spending time outdoors, volunteering locally, or practicing self-care, every small step we take has the power to create positive change. Together, let's embrace our interconnectedness and work towards a more balanced and mindful way of living. 🌱💫 #aloneshow #nicoleapelian #naturalwellness #natureswellness #wilderness #nature #getoutside #natureconnection #naturalconnection #connectiontonature #holisticwellness #communityengagement #selfreflection #interconnectedness #harmoniousliving #compassionatesociety #mindfulliving #naturelove #communitycare #selfawareness #outdoorreflection #selfcompassion #naturebonding #communitysupport #selfgrowth #selfcarejourney #natureappreciation #selfdevelopment #selflovejourney #selfdiscovery

Did you know that April is Children and Nature Awareness Month? In a world filled with screens and technology, reconnecting children with nature is crucial. It's not just about having fun outdoors; it's about nurturing their curiosity, fostering empathy for the environment, and instilling a sense of stewardship for our planet. 🌱 From exploring local parks to planting gardens and going on nature scavenger hunts, there are endless ways to engage children with the outdoors. Let's prioritize these experiences as they can shape their perspectives, values, and ultimately, their future relationship with the Earth. 🌍 #aloneshow #nicoleapelian #naturalwellness #natureswellness #wilderness #nature #getoutside #natureconnection #naturalconnection #connectiontonature #childrenandnatureawarenessmonth #children #natureawareness #childrenandnature #natureeducation #outdoorplay #environmentaleducation #earthstewardship #natureexploration #screenfreechildhood #naturelove #outdoorlearning #kidsinnature #earthconnection #greengeneration #natureappreciation #natureforall #natureplay #earthconscious #natureinspires

Did you know that April is Children and Nature Awareness Month? In a world filled with screens and technology, reconnecting children with nature is crucial. It's not just about having fun outdoors; it's about nurturing their curiosity, fostering empathy for the environment, and instilling a sense of stewardship for our planet. 🌱 From exploring local parks to planting gardens and going on nature scavenger hunts, there are endless ways to engage children with the outdoors. Let's prioritize these experiences as they can shape their perspectives, values, and ultimately, their future relationship with the Earth. 🌍 #aloneshow #nicoleapelian #naturalwellness #natureswellness #wilderness #nature #getoutside #natureconnection #naturalconnection #connectiontonature #childrenandnatureawarenessmonth #children #natureawareness #childrenandnature #natureeducation #outdoorplay #environmentaleducation #earthstewardship #natureexploration #screenfreechildhood #naturelove #outdoorlearning #kidsinnature #earthconnection #greengeneration #natureappreciation #natureforall #natureplay #earthconscious #natureinspires

Booz Allen Hamilton recently conducted a study on Outdoor Recreation that looked at accessible recreation on public lands, with a particular focus on availability of information. At Booz Allen, our work with public land managers and federal agencies has given us awareness of this difficult challenge, particularly about providing accurate and contextual information about campgrounds and campsites. This study helped to put some metrics around how visitors view this challenge, in hopes that Booz Allen could help find technical solutions to support those with disabilities in planning visits to public lands.   This USA TODAY article, written by Kathleen Wong, underscores the need for better information and references this study: https://lnkd.in/gajtYbMm   Booz Allen’s partnerships and expertise could play a key role in creating solutions that ensure visitors can easily find information about accessible opportunities in America’s federal public lands and waters. Success depends on collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to this important issue.   #Accessibility #NationalParks #PublicLands #Inclusion

Have you heard of Blue Zones? They're global regions where people live longer and in better health than average. See bluezones dot com for more insight. There’s a few things in common to all of them … which are also part of our Restoration Retreats. Yep, we created our own Blue Zones for underserved young men and women on the cusp of selecting college and/or their life’s work! Listen, if there was only one thing I could do in life, it would be this. These kids arrive as little closed buds. They have little to no faith in school or the world. But they’re thirsty for things that are wondrous. We model moving naturally, with yoga, horseback riding, fly fishing, drumming, hikes in nature. We go birding, with a community of youth who previously thought there were only pigeons in the world. We journal, meditate, and practice a new outlook. We remind these youth of the wellspring of skills they already have inside themselves. We eat wisely - farm to table - and teach organic gardening. We connect with nature and learn tools to enhance their leadership and self-care. We connect, by bringing together kids from at least three cities in different parts of the country. Some have never been out of their neighborhood before and they usually stay with their own city tribe on the first day. The second day, we don’t know who’s who because they’re all sitting together with their arms around each other! This is what can happen in just a few days, after a lifetime of disinvestment, alienation, and difficulty. You know, people talk about stranger danger, but there’s stranger love as well. It’s akin to divine love. They did not know each other, but they knew they couldn’t wait to know one other. It’s unbelievable. Have you ever been a part of something like this? Tell me about it in the comments below. #StrangerLove #BIPOCyouth #SelfCare #Leadership #Community