When:  7:00 PM, Wednesday, January 10^th, 2018 Where:  Lacey Timberland Library Main Room; Note Location

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/eytXfWHNYv22

Our speaker is: Yonit Yogev

Our January Topic Is: “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the National Park Service: Narratives, Counternarratives, and the Importance of Moving Beyond Demographics”

The National Park Service (NPS) has known for decades that its visitors and staff fail to represent the full range of the diversity of Americans. While the NPS has begun to address diversity, equity, inclusion and relevance, progress is painfully slow. Previous work led to the realization that structural racism is the reason why movement in this regard is lagging. Lack of equity and inclusion in the NPS (and by extension other public lands and environmental organizations) not only puts the future of public lands at risk due to changing demographics, but may also be viewed as environmental injustice. Until recently, the NPS has had limited success in engendering true collaboration with communities of color (COC).

For this qualitative research project, I conducted in-depth, unstructured interviews using an interview guide or narrative story-telling with forty participants from the NPS, partner agencies, and people from COC, using Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology, guided by Critical Race Theory (CRT). Participants offered feedback about every aspect of the study at all stages of research and writing. The results revealed the critical importance of genuine collaboration and partnerships with COC, the need for fundamental changes in hiring practices and diversity ‘training,’ the significance of and need for structured role modeling and mentorships, among several others, along with guidance for ways to overcome multiple barriers. The recommendations and stories revealed by this research will provide the NPS with additional innovative ways to develop and implement policies and programs that meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population.

Science Cafe of Olympia meets each month on the second Wednesday.  It provides an informal atmosphere where people with and without scientific background can meet to deepen their understanding on interesting topics in science and technology.  After a presentation by an expert in the field, the meetings are opened for discussion.  Science Cafes are found nationwide and are loosely affiliated with the U.K.- based Cafe Scientifique, an international organization promoting public engagement with science.

Yonit Yogev has lived in the Pacific NW for 26 years.  She graduated from the Evergreen State College in June, 2017 with a Master’s in Environmental Studies.  She was an RN for 25 years, and after 14 years in hospice care, decided it was time for a change.  Yonit has been an avid outdoorsperson and environmentalist for most of her life, and finds nature to be deeply healing.

She has been interested in, and an activist in equity, anti-racism, and anti-oppression since childhood.  When she began volunteering at Mount Rainier National Park about 5 years ago, she noticed that most of the visitors and staff were white.  This observation precipitated her deeper exploration into what lies behind the imbalance, and eventually led her to her thesis research.

Yonit’s hope in presenting her research in different forums is to engender ongoing conversation about racism, implicit bias and the depth of structural racism in our society.  Ultimately, the goal is to help break open impasses that prevent human beings from achieving true equity.

Driving directions to the Lacey Timberland Library: Coming from the north: From Interstate 5 southbound, take exit 109 Martin Way. Turn right off the exit onto Martin Way. At the first traffic light, turn left onto College Street. Drive about 1/4 mile then turn left onto Abbey Way/6th Avenue SE, and then then take the next left.

Coming from the south: From Interstate 5 northbound, take exit 108 Sleater Kinney Road/College Street. After exiting, stay to the left toward College Street. Continue on 3rd Avenue SE. Turn right onto College Street. Turn left at the next traffic light onto Abbey Way/6th Avenue SE, and then then take the next left.

Some of the organizers of the Science Cafe of Olympia are affiliated with the Puget Sound Section of the American Chemical Society. Send us your comments and suggestions on topics, speakers and how we can improve out meetings.  Feel free to pass this notice on to like-minded friends.