SUNY Potsdam students participate in ADI’s 2023 Alternative Spring Break program based at Camp Dudley in Westport. (Photo courtesy of Camp Dudley)

PAUL SMITHS — The Adirondack Diversity Initiative and the Adirondack North Country Association have announced the return of the Adirondack Diversity Initiative Symposium — a community gathering designed to empower residents, organizations and businesses to enact positive change toward a more welcoming and inclusive region.

All are welcome to attend this full-day event that aims to inspire, challenge and invigorate participants as they explore ideas and practices to help them better serve their communities.

The symposium, titled “Creating Inclusivity in North Country Communities,” will take place at Paul Smith’s College VIC in Paul Smiths from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12. to 3:30 p.m. Registration includes networking and coffee starting at 9 a.m.; presentations, panel discussions and workshops; and opportunities to engage before and after the symposium’s main programs.

Registration is open at www.adirondack.org/2024-adi-symposium.

“I am thrilled to bring back the Symposium after a period of dormancy, especially at a time when these conversations are more vital than ever,” ADI Director Tiffany Rea-Fisher said.

She said this year’s event has been thoughtfully curated to address a wide range of topics, including LGBTQIA-plus lived experiences in the region, how to create inclusive workplaces, a debrief with our region’s new diversity reporter, and the evolving relationship between people and nature.

“Our goal is to foster open dialogue and shared learning, and we invite everyone to join us in shaping a more inclusive future for the Adirondacks. I truly believe that within this symposium, there’s something for everyone,” Rea-Fisher said.

Guest presenters include a panel of LGBTQI-plus and people of color who live and work in the predominantly white, rural North Country region. Adirondack Explorer and North Country Public Radio reporter David Escobar and NCPR News Director David Sommerstein will reflect on stories Escobar has covered in his role. A panel of young Adirondack residents will explore challenges and opportunities the region holds for future stewards and leaders. Representatives from regional outdoor education and recreation organizations will discuss the importance of inclusivity in developing New York’s Visitor Use Management plan for the Adirondacks.

The symposium will also feature a panel of elected officials who will speak about regional diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts, including Assemblyman Billy Jones, D-Chateaugay; Alison Webbinaro, North Country regional representative for Gov. Kathy Hochul; and Susan Griskonis, assistant attorney general in charge of Plattsburgh Regional Office.

ANCA, in partnership with the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce, will offer a hybrid workshop called “Creating Inclusive Workplaces” as part of the symposium. The session will provide tools for employers looking to implement fair and equitable hiring processes and other practices that foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for diverse staff and clientele. Registration for the virtual workshop alone costs $20. The training is funded by a Rural Business Development Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture.

The symposium’s closing keynote presentation will feature Camille Simone Edwards and Dan Kreisberg, co-creators of Diversity Education In Nature, for a discussion about how biodiversity in nature can inspire us to value and nurture diversity in human communities.

Following the event, ADI Community Initiatives Manager Tamara Jolly, who is also a graduate of the New York State Ranger School in Wanakena, will lead an optional nature walk where participants are invited to reflect on the day’s conversations and explore the ecosystems of the VIC property. The VIC is home to 25 miles of trails, including 6 miles of interpretive trails through forest and wetland habitats.

“During this guided mindfulness walk, we’ll reflect on the day and deepen our connection with nature,” Jolly said. “Together, we’ll let the natural world be our guide, observing and engaging with the forest as we explore the themes and threads that emerged from our work.”

The event is the first ADI Symposium since 2019, when ADI was a volunteer-run collaboration of organizations and individuals. Since coming under ANCA and hiring its first director in December 2019, ADI has increased its staff, programming and impacts. The ADI team has since implemented a variety of community-informed programs including the Community Policing Initiative, Emerging Stewards Program, cultural consciousness training, and other efforts that empower participants to increase awareness and action around diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the Adirondack region. Learn more at www.diversityadk.org.

“We look forward to learning more from the ADI team and their guests as they share their unique insight and experience,” ANCA Executive Director Elizabeth Cooper said. “Our region has been making great strides in terms of diversity and inclusion over the past several years, yet our communities have so much to gain as we continue to build awareness and action across the Adirondack North Country.”

The suggested cost of registration is $99. Alternative payment options are available for participants who feel the cost is a barrier to attending and for those who wish to support registration costs for others.