We want every visitor to have a sense that they’re in the right place; that they belong. Understand that many outdoor spaces have historically been unwelcoming for many visitors - both intentionally and unintentionally. Give every visitor your best customer service and meet their courage with comfort. Here are some best practices for creating warm, welcoming, and inclusive environments:

• Start With Great Customer Service - Let this be a core priority, and inclusive spaces will come more easily.

• The Vocabulary of Inclusion - Vocabulary can help us see the world more clearly, and the words we choose are important. Understand the difference between diversity, equity, and inclusion. Being able to define person-first language, unconscious bias, preferred gender pronouns is also a good place to start. The Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Justice Vocabulary from the Avarna Group is great.

• Staff Training - Offer customer service and cultural awareness training to staff and volunteers to create a sense of belonging for visitors of all backgrounds and abilities. Equip them with the skills to assist and interact with visitors from diverse backgrounds and abilities.

• Diverse Representation - Ensure that staff, volunteers, and board members reflect the diversity of the community. This builds trust and brings new perspectives to decision-making. Demonstrate diversity in your social media and marketing materials - this enriches content and allows visitors to see themselves represented.

• Active Allyship - If issues of discrimination or exclusion arise, address them head-on. Be an active ally, show support, and make necessary changes promptly.