SESSION DESCRIPTION:
In 2022-2023, over 400 Corpsmembers participated in a national evaluation examining the impact of their Corps experiences on themselves and their educational and employment possibilities. Led by RTI International, this evaluation aimed to understand how, if at all, the Corps experience, influenced alumni’s interest in continuing in the conservation field and interest in conservation more broadly. The evaluation looked specifically at the service experiences of Corpsmembers of color and members from the LGBTQIA+ community to inform programmatic changes that can broaden participation in the field that has been historically dominated by white cisgender men.
In this event, RTI International will present findings from this one-year longitudinal study of members representing 16 crew-based programs across the country. This is an opportunity to learn how the Corps experience impacted members’ personal and career conservation interests. It is also an opportunity to hear how communities who have historically or currently excluded from conservation experienced the programs, their sense of belonging, and recommendations for how programs can be inclusive and welcoming for diverse crews. Following the presentation, attendees will discuss implications for Corps organizations to support members, especially those representing diverse social identities, and continue connecting members with conservation career paths.
This study was funded by the National Park Foundation and conducted in collaboration with the Public Lands Service Coalition and staff from 10 Corps organizations. This event will be recorded.
KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Learn about Corpsmembers’ education and career activities one-year after program completion and how the program impacted their engagement with conservation activities or pursuit of conservation careers.
- Gain insight on Corpsmembers of color and LGBTQIA+ members’ sense of belonging and their perceptions on strategies that promote inclusivity.
- Discuss implications for program components and ways to support Corpsmembers of different social identities, especially those historically underrepresented in the conservation space.
SESSION MATERIALS:
