Author: Sean Kane-Holland

Ocean Positive and Pinelands Alliance have teamed together to provide training for your staff and volunteers on safety protocols, emergency response, and respectful interactions with participants who have physical disabilities.

Almost 500,000 NJ residents have a Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder or Movement Challenge, yet there is currently no systematic training available for outdoor recreational and community locations on how to provide services appropriate to the needs of these residents.

The free “Safe & Positive For All” training sessions taught by the team from Ocean Positive are designed for land management leaders, guides, support staff and coordinators for agencies and other providers of outdoor recreation opportunities that may include those with special physical needs or movement challenges.

Elements of the sessions and larger support services may include:
• Training in building disability planning into your safety and emergency procedures
• Support in assessing a trail or scenic location for inclusive programming
• Training in customizing program details to meet the needs of people with mobility challenges, developmental disabilities, or other disability concerns.
• Support in building connections with other providers and potential participants involved in the inclusive outdoor arena

If you have any questions regarding organizing or logistics for offering a workshop, please reach out to Nature Disability Advocate, Sean Kane Holland at sean@pinelandsalliance.org or call 609-859-8860 ext. 117.

Download Free Training Workshop On Trail Assessments Document Here
Download the Free Training Document Here

Kristen Wilson, RN, BSN, CSN, is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Get Out There with Acquired Brain Injury (GOT ABI). With over thirty years as a Registered Nurse, Kristen brings a wealth of professional experience, including holistic nursing, rehabilitation and nursing education.Jake, Co-founder of GOT ABI, is a brain injury survivor who sustained his injury five years ago at the age of 17 and is now 22. His lived experience profoundly informs GOT ABI’s mission.

Together, they lead GOT ABI, a New Jersey 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young adults with acquired brain injury through socialization, education, advocacy, and awareness. Thanks to a stipend from the Pinelands Preservation Alliance: Nature Accessible for All campaign, GOT ABI proudly offers accessible walks for brain injury survivors, caregivers, and supporters. Recap this forum, to learn about their organization, their stipend project, and its objectives and outcomes.

Blue Journey Unified’s Fall Pool Sessions Are Back, Thursdays, 7-8 PM.

Wed September 24 – Thu November 20, 2025 join Blue Journey Unified at Ocean City Aquatics and Fitness Center Ocean City, NJ 08244 US

Use the link to register – https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/BlueJourneyUnifiedPoolFall2025?rsus=200-500-98adaaa8-a1c7-41eb-b77e-e999c81ae3e3

Recap the Access Nature Forum with Flat Rock Brook Nature Center. The nature center is a 150-acre preserve in Englewood, NJ (Bergen County) with 3.6 miles of trails open and free to the public from dawn to dusk daily 365 days a year. Flat Rock Brook is committed to ensuring our preserve and our facilities are as accessible to all as possible, and would like you to join us to meet our team and hear about our projects and plans.

The discussion will include how they are making nature accessible, topics will cover:

  • Accessible Trails
  • Nature Playground
  • Restroom Facilities
  • Bridge and Pathways
  • Gazebo and Picnic Areas
  • Parking

The Best Day Ever documentary follows adaptive mountain bikers Greg Durso and Allie Bianchi as they tackle the daily challenges of disability—and find joy, connection, and belonging in Vermont’s mountain biking community.

This is a story of grit, independence, and what’s possible when community and creativity come together. At its heart is the world’s first fully adaptive trail network—built to prove that everyone belongs outside.

Best Day Ever challenges perceptions of disability and celebrates community.

They’re raising funds to expand adaptive trails and equipment access—because for a wheelchair user, a mountain bike isn’t just fun. It’s freedom.

Check out the video and full story – https://www.bestdayever.mov/?blm_aid=2582740493

It is with great eagerness and excitement that we can now count the Accessible Nature Trail at Pemberton Lake as a well-awaited accomplishment for the fight to make outdoor spaces more accessible for individuals of varying abilities. On Friday, October 10th we unveiled the Pemberton Lake Accessible nature trail. This 0.7-mile trail encourages visitors of all abilities and especially those with mobility concerns to explore the forest and lake habitats that the out-and-back trail traverses.

Check out the full article from the Pine Barrens Tribune – https://www.pinebarrenstribune.com/articles/featured-stories/newly-blazed-trail-gives-those-with-mobility-issues-access-to-natures-realm-alongside-pemberton-lake/