Empowering People With Disabilities Through Nature

Yes! We've been very busy this Spring....creating Access Nature outdoor programs for people with disabilities and, teaching our educational workshop.

The presentation of our educational workshop, at the annual New York State Land trust Alliance Conference, was very well recieved. Over 70 conference participants attended our 90 minute "class". They learned how to create outdoor nature programs for underserved populations in their home communities. Learning how to duplicate our model, we guided them on how to organize, implement, maintain, fund, and sustain AN programs. We will continue to followup, guide and support these groups; and look forward to reporting back to you on their progress.

Spreading the concept and knowledge of how to create Access Nature programs for the disadvantaged, is our major priority. We plan to continue to teach other outdoor organizations and land trusts how to duplicate our model.

But, we have not forgotten our friends from the partner organizations we serve. This Spring we ran several outdoor programs for adults with mental illness and adults with developmental challenges. We took them to preserves and parks. We had nature walks with naturalists and healthy picnics. We educated them on the benefits of nature, and saw first hand how being in nature improved their sense of well being, increased relaxation, and socialization. And to our delight, we added a new partner, a group of teens on the Autistic spectrum.

Thank you for your past and present support. With your help we are accomplishing our goals of bringing the benefits of nature to many disadvantaged people, who have been underserved in their equitable access to nature, 

We are so proud and delighted to report to our wonderful family of supporters, that once again, Access Nature was chosen to present at the Land Trust Alliance 2022  New York Land Conservation Conference. This is an enormous honor, as we will be one of only 12 presenters at the conference. 

Our 90 minute workshop, "Breaking Down Barriers: Increasing Diversity and Inclusion for Equitable Access to our Land", will be taught to conference participants. This is an amazing opportunity for us to educate other land trusts on how to create Access Nature programs in their communities. None of this would be happening withou your kind and generous support. With your help, we are achieving our goal of spreading the concept and knowledge of creating AN programs in many areas. 

 Below is a brief summary of the workshop presentation description. As always, we are so very grateful for your past and future support. 

"The innovative Access Nature program brings the benefits of nature to diverse groups of underserved and disabled populations. How can our land trusts interact with a more diverse population? How can we be more inclusive? Access Nature, a project of The Lewisboro Land Trust, creates outdoor nature programs for the
intellectually challenged, the mentally ill and the socio-economically disadvantaged.  Learn to duplicate our model and after completion, participants will be able to create Access Nature programs in their communities. Participants will learn to provide a safe, enjoyable experience with nature, enabling the land trust to meet community needs through outreach to diverse populations."    Faculty:

Bonnie Robins, Access Nature Program Director, Lewisboro Land Trust (NY) Shantala Dugay-Iyengar, Executive Director, Lewisboro Land Trust (NY)

Links:

• Land Trust Alliance 2022 New York Land Conservation Conference