Join Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens virtually on Thurs., Sept. 1 for Virtual Biophilia: What does it Mean to be Deaf in the Outdoors? How do Deaf people use their life experience as a Deaf person to connect with the outdoors? For the past one hundred and fifty years in the United States, Deaf people has struggled to get fairness in the job hiring process and full education accessibility. How has that impacted the numbers of Deaf people engaging in the outdoors? And how has that experience of exclusion impacted their relationship with the outdoors?

Register in advance for the meeting here. The Zoom meeting will begin promptly at 6 p.m. (EST), 3 p.m. (PST). After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Meet the Speaker(s):

Sam Forshay works for CorpsTHAT as their AmeriCorps VISTA. Sam comes from a Deaf family who enjoys exploring and connecting with the wild forests of America. Sam grew up in Washington State near Mt. Rainier on the lands of the Puyallup Tribe. Shortly after her college graduation from Gallaudet University (in D.C.) with an undergraduate degree in Mathematics, Sam got involved with CorpsTHAT’s Pilot Conservation Corps in Summer 2021. In November of that year, she was hired into CorpsTHAT’s team. Sam is enjoying her opportunity to work for CorpsTHAT on different programs that serve to connect the Deaf community to the outdoors.

Accessibility: 

This event will feature ASL interpretation by Trail Blazing Interpreters. Trail Blazing Interpreters bridge the gap between the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community and the outdoor field, so that everyone can experience the benefits of working and recreating outside. We aim to combine our passion for the outdoors and our commitment to high-quality accessibility, by providing American Sign Language and spoken English interpreting services for the unique needs of outdoor programs.

Meetings are free to attend; however, advance registration is required. To R.S.V.P., please use this link.