Tips for Safe Exploring Archives - Nature: Accessible for All

The second online town hall focused on improving access to the Pinelands for people with disabilities.
Despite being the most crowded state in the nation, New Jersey has a large amount of open space, including the 1.1-million-acre Pinelands National Reserve. The forests, streams and ponds found here are an important resource for residents in the region.

Unfortunately, access to the vast natural areas found in the New Jersey Pinelands can be difficult if not impossible for people with physical or other disabilities. Visiting natural places can be uncomfortable, unsafe or impossible. Barriers may include a limited number of accessible sites or a lack of comprehensive and reliable information of the accessible sites that do exist.
PPA wants to help overcome these barriers so everyone can enjoy the benefits of time in nature and visit the parks, forests and preserves which our state and communities have protected.

Check out this video and hear from advocates on the need for accessible nature sites and the criteria needed for creating and promoting these areas to the public. In this video, volunteers are evaluating the Blue Trail at Evesham Townships Black Run Preserve for accessibility for all persons.

The inaugural zoom meeting provided a tutorial of the www.AccessNatureNJ.org website. We covered use of the mobile website, how to personally update information and we took feedback for improvements. More information about this project can be found at www.pinelandsalliance.org/the-pinelands-is-for-everyone/access-nature-forum/

Get to know your National Parks in New Jersey! Join us for a conversation with Jeremy Buzzell, Branch Chief for the National Parks Accessibility Program. He will discuss his role, current projects and initiatives, opportunities for networking, information on funding opportunities and resources, and items to focus on for our goals. There will be time to ask questions. National Parks in New Jersey include Sandy Hook’s Gateway National Recreation Area and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

What does it mean to build disability community and justice in the outdoors? Why is it important to have Disabled leadership, and how can allies and organizations be better partners? Join Syren Nagakyrie, founder of Disabled Hikers, for answers to these questions and more. Syren will provide an overview of disability language, models of disability, and how to think about access vs accessibility. They will share about their work as the founder of an entirely Disabled-led organization working at the intersections of disability justice and outdoor recreation, and how you can create more space for Disabled people to drive your access and inclusion work. Time will be set aside for questions and answers.

Syren Nagakyrie is the founder of Disabled Hikers, a nonprofit organization building disability community and justice in the outdoors. Syren grew up with multiple disabilities and encounters numerous barriers to outdoor recreation but has always found nature to be a place of belonging. As a long-time disabled activist and community builder, Syren is committed to building a movement of Disabled leadership in the outdoors. They are the author of The Disabled Hiker’s Guide to Northern California: outdoor adventures accessible by car, wheelchair, and foot (2024) and The Disabled Hiker’s Guide to Western Washington and Oregon (2022), both published by FalconGuides. They also work with parks, organizations, brands, and government agencies to improve access and belonging for disability community.

This workshop offers an in-depth introduction to CorpsTHAT, an organization dedicated to connecting the Deaf community with the outdoors through education, recreation, and career opportunities. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of CorpsTHAT’s origin, its evolution, and the impactful stories that have shaped its mission to create accessible and inclusive outdoor spaces for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the outdoor and conservation industry.

We’ll dive into best practices for engaging Deaf participants in conservation corps and/or outdoor programs, focusing on essential communication strategies like using American Sign Language (ASL), visual cues, and technologies. We’ll also cover key accessibility considerations, from physical accommodations to creating spaces that are welcoming and empowering.

Additionally, we’ll discuss how to lead inclusively by fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and equity in outdoor settings. Through real stories and examples from CorpsTHAT’s programs, attendees will walk away with practical tools and strategies to better support and include Deaf individuals in outdoor and conservation work.

Bio of Presenter:
Sam (Marlo) Bragg

Sam is a seventh-generation member of a large, vibrant Deaf family from Maine’s Great Woods. With a Master’s degree in Outdoor Leadership from Saybrook University and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Sam has dedicated their career to bridging the gap between the Deaf community and the outdoors through education, recreation, and career development. As a team member at CorpsTHAT, Sam is passionate about creating equitable and inclusive outdoor spaces for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.