The Aspen Forum for Community Solutions is pleased to invite you to the Opportunity Youth Forum (OYF) Digital Learning Series 2021: The Power of Place. In 2021, our learning sessions will look at key systems that touch opportunity youth, including: (i) re-engagement, (ii) postsecondary, and (iii) the workforce, with the structural racism and place-based lens, while lifting up strategies, practices, and tools from across the OYF network and partners. Furthermore, we will have additional learning sessions focusing on healing, juvenile justice, and other key systems. 

Date/Time: December, 15th, 2021- 12:00pm - 4:00pm EST                                                                                                                                                              (Optional Networking 4:00-5:00pm EST)

Title: The Power of Place: Reframing Environmental Justice with a Racial Justice Lens 

Overview: The next session in the 2021 Power of Place series will focus on reframing environmental justice and increasing equitable access to the natural environment with a racial justice lens. The session will bring together leaders in the environmental justice movement – including young adult leaders, grassroots and community-based organizations, philanthropy, and representatives from federal and local governments – who will help us build our collective understanding of the healing power of nature, especially for Black and Indigenous people and communities of color. We will hear from different voices in the field who will share practical examples of community-focused efforts and policy solutions at the intersection of nature and healing, protecting outdoor spaces, environmental justice, and racial justice. We appreciate the expertise and assistance of Children & Nature Network with this session! 

1. Build understanding of the healing power of nature especially for Black and Indigenous people and communities of color in the context of Arnold Chandler’s research on structural racism
2. Feature different voices and practical examples (models, approaches and initiatives) that intersect nature, environmental justice and racial justice
3. Address and reframe biases around white-dominant conservationist spaces and tropes to center Indigenous people and communities of color, especially as it relates to environmental justice and protecting outdoor spaces
4. Grow awareness of policies and paths for advocating for policies related to securing resources for prioritizing environmental justice and healing in the outdoors

Access to sessions from previous Power of Place events is available and open to all. For more information on the Power of Place learning series, visit the series information tab on this website.