Presenter(s): Shannon Ellis − Environmental Studies
Faculty Mentor(s): Sarah Wald
Poster 148
Research Area: Social Science
There are many barriers that limit various stakeholders from being able to visit national parks and forests on a regular basis in a way that allows them to positively engage with nature. I will be working with Bark, a Mt. Hood National Forest-based non-profit, to analyze the different barriers based on class and ability that limit the participation of people that would like to involved with Bark. Some of the major barriers found for Bark so far include accessibility, availability to transportation, and potentially exclusive volunteer and engagement opportunities. I will be using scholarly and peer reviewed journals primarily, including articles from “Leisure Sciences; An Interdisciplinary Journal”, “The International Journal of Special Education”, and an article written by University of Oregon Professor Betsy Wheeler. I will also be gathering information from meetings with representatives from Bark. It is important to first acknowledge the potential barriers that restrict the participation of underrepresented stakeholders and groups in order to eventually make Bark a more inclusive, diverse and equitable organization.