Keynotes and General Sessions
Enhancing Partnerships for Public Lands
Monday, March 2, 8:30 am
The first general session of the 2020 Convention and Trade Show begins with a celebration of public lands partnerships since this community met in Denver, CO, highlighting the work of the Public Lands Alliance to connect, strengthen, and represent our network.
Additionally, David Vela, Deputy Director Exercising the Authority of Director for the National Pkar Service, will join PLA President and CEO Dan Puskar on stage for a wide ranging conversation about partnerships, infrastructure, America 250 and his vision for the NPS.
Environmental Sustainability for America’s Public Lands
Tuesday, March 3, 8:30 am
Parks, forests, wildlife refuges, conservation areas, lakes and rivers are among the most magnificent natural resources in our nation. Protecting them not only means championing their preservation, but taking actions that minimize environmental impacts. This general session will highlight innovative and creative approaches to reducing the impact of operations and activities conducted by public lands partners.
To start the morning, Theresa Pierno, President and CEO of the National Parks Conservation Association, will present on the strides this organization has been making as it embarks on its second century.
Then a diverse panel will inspire us with successes and lessons learned from orienting their nonprofit, concession, land management agency or business to embrace ecologically friendly practices. Our panelists are Allison Gosselin (Aramark), Theresa McMullan (Grand Canyon Conservancy), Shawn Norton (National Park Service) and Caroline Ward (Wildlife Artists).
Diversity and Inclusivity in the Use and Management of Public Lands: The Urgency of Now
Wednesday, March 4, 8:15 am
Public lands are a cherished and vital part of American society. Yet, these spaces are not always welcoming to some or representative of the variety and peoples and cultures that support them through taxation, visitation, or legislation. This talk will explore the contributions that many racial and ethnic groups make to the legacy of public lands. It will also examine ways of increasing public engagement in land stewardship. The talk will also examine workforce dynamics in organizations that care for public lands.
Presented By:
Dorceta Taylor
James E. Crowfoot Collegiate Professor; Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
University of Michigan
Dr. Dorceta Taylor is based at the University of Michigan where she teaches courses on topics including food systems, environmental history and politics, environmental justice and sociological theory. Research areas include food insecurity, the history of mainstream and environmental justice ideology and activism, social movements and framing, green jobs and diversity. Professor Taylor authored the most comprehensive report on diversity in the mainstream environmental movement, “Diversity in Environmental Institutions: Mainstream NGOs, Foundations & Government Agencies,” commissioned by Green 2.0. She is the Principal Investigator for the US Department of Agriculture-funded “Examining Disparities in Food Access and Enhancing the Food Security of Underserved Populations in Michigan”. Professor Dorceta Taylor received dual doctorates from Yale University in Sociology and in Forestry & Environmental Studies, a M.A. and M. Philosophy from Yale University in Sociology and Forestry & Environmental Studies, a M.F.S. in Forest Science from the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Biology from Northeastern Illinois University.