At NatureBridge, we recognize that gender inclusion practices may be unfamiliar to or uncomfortable for some program participants. We still have much more to learn about the particular challenges that our nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and transgender program participants and staff encounter. We hope that we can all learn and grow together as a NatureBridge community to increase our collective awareness and knowledge.
Assumptions are often made about a person’s gender based on the person’s appearance or name however these assumptions may be different from how they identify themselves. Using someone’s gender pronouns that they identify with is a way to respect them and create an inclusive environment, just as using a person’s name can be a way to respect them. Learn more about why pronouns matter.
Providing a welcoming and affirming learning and working environment is fundamental to our mission and integral to the well-being of our program participants and staff. By creating a welcoming space for students and our educators where they feel they belong, everyone is more ready to have fun and explore their outdoor classroom with confidence.
Your educator may choose to share their pronouns on their nametag or verbally when introducing themselves. We ask participants and chaperones to respect our gender-expansive staff by using their name and pronouns they use.
When a school or group opts into this practice, we also offer the opportunity for participants to share pronouns during our group introductions.
Here is an example scenario of how educators facilitate an introduction:
Here is a list of examples of how participants may respond to the educator:
Teachers from the school assign students to the dorm spaces according to their school policies. NatureBridge does not assign where particular students sleep.
Our commitment to equity and inclusion is emphasized throughout the process of hiring, onboarding and staff training. Staff training includes an overview of guidelines, scenario-based practices and discussions about the importance of gender inclusivity.
Some school districts have created specific policies to protect non-binary, transgender and gender non-conforming students from discrimination in the classroom. Please see below for some school districts that participate in NatureBridge programs. If your district is not listed, please refer to your district’s handbook or reach out to school personnel for more information.
Golden Gate and Yosemite
Olympic
Mid-Atlantic
Click here for a list of useful terms, phrases and definitions.
To learn more about why gender-inclusive spaces and using gender pronouns are important for gender-expansive individuals, please contact NatureBridge's Director of Operations Hagit Elaz.