Keynote speaker José González addresses "Holding Space for Equitable Sociocultural Risk Management."

About the Speech:
For clear reasons, we have invested in the development of systematic approaches to risk management in outdoor programming. The physical wellbeing of participants, along with the recognition of inherent risks and hazards of the outdoors, is important—it goes along with the touted benefits of transformative outdoor experiences. We want participants to connect with the awe of nature, the development of leadership skills, and a myriad of other opportunities that come with guided, facilitated, and structured outdoor programming. It is imperative, for individual and institution success, that we continue to do better, to strive for, and maintain and reach aspirational goals in this area.

Along with this is the recognition of accepting a charge and responsibility to continue to ensure that these experiences are equitably accessible to an everchanging demographic. Our work should not be for a diminishing few based on historical and institutional exclusion, dependent on what zip code you're born in, or other markers of generational, institutional, and racial privilege. To make this happen, we also must account for risk management not just between the individual and the physical environment, but also the social and cultural environment and the socioemotional wellness of participants who come to these spaces with different lived experiences, expectations, and valueadd to what we offer. This is the opportunity before us, and one I believe we are wellpoised to succeed in.

Learn more about the Wilderness Risk Management Conference at http://nols.edu/wrmc