ODFW
ODFW
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Wayfinding Academy
$20,000
Wayfinding Academy (WFA), a 501(c)3 nonprofit community college, will enhance educational, personal and professional outcomes for historically underrepresented students through a new “Wayfinding Ambassadors” program that advances outdoor equity and conservation priorities. High-level elements of this program include: 1. Curriculum and labs developed by the college with a central focus on the Oregon Conservation Strategy and Oregon’s nine ecoregions; 2. Service as a convener and academic resource for the broader community on outdoor equity and conservation, including the Oregon Conservation Strategy and Oregon’s nine ecoregions; 3. Equity-centered learning and development that fosters diverse representation in the outdoors and associated careers; 4. Stewardship projects that inspire lasting engagement, build practical skills, and benefit recreation infrastructure and natural areas in multiple ecoregions; and 5. Student projects that raise awareness and spur action in the broader community on outdoor issues, including priorities in the Oregon Conservation Strategy. Centering equity, the Wayfinding Ambassadors program will be developed in partnership with Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI), a nonprofit serving youth and families, primarily African Americans and other communities of color, with culturally-responsible academic and wraparound services. Trailkeepers of Oregon (TKO), a statewide nonprofit trail stewardship organization, will serve as the inaugural community partner providing hands-on experience, training and mentorship for students in the field. The Wayfinding Ambassadors program’s unique combination of college curriculum, professional training, and community outreach will connect students with the natural world in new and memorable ways. With adequate funding, the program is easily scalable to serve broader populations, school sites, and community partners -- aiming to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of leaders in a more equitable outdoors.