The 50 acres of property surrounding the Nature Center at Asbury Woods is bordered by major thoroughfare roads and suburban sprawl, but this small parcel of land holds a treasure-trove of ecological diversity and the perfect way to introduce new visitors to the wonders of nature. While it may not be the big forest or trail adventure that more seasoned outdoor enthusiasts seek, it has served as an ideal way to acclimate new audiences to the concepts of outdoor recreation, environmental education and conservation. As Asbury Woods expands and diversifies their outreach and inclusion programs, this parcel of property provides excellent opportunities to bridge the gap from concrete and cityscapes to the natural world. In this session we will discuss strategies for forming strategic partnerships to reach underserved populations in meaningful ways to meet all program partner objectives and techniques to ease the transition into outdoor, wooded and trail landscapes.
