2nd Wednesday Lecture – Lorena Lopez: Conservation & Community Engagement

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Join Lorena Lopez in a discussion on land conservation and community engagement.

The land is power and land can provide much-needed resources, healing, and restoration to Black, Indigenous and other People of Color. Big conservation organizations are looking to engage these communities in restoration efforts but seldom engage in equitable partnerships. Programming and restoration of preserves through community engagement with BIPOC communities have to be met with restorative justice. Meeting local neighborhood organizations and community leaders, listening and implementing programming that is culturally relevant that resonates with communities’ needs and wants can create a path forward. Through meeting people where they’re at and using asset-based approaches and methods, founding, collaborative strategic planning, and equitable programming based on the community’s cultural needs, organizations can create high impact engagement.

Lorena Lopez is Senior Community Engagement Specialist for the Keeler Science Action Center at the Field Museum. She works jointly with partner organizations and community members to understand and advance their conservation and community well-being goals in the Chicago and Calumet regions. Her ultimate goal is to connect people to nature and encourage them to play an active role in creating healing spaces, reclaiming, and restoring our natural areas. Lorena Lopez brings 15 years of experience in community engagement concentrating on environmental justice, faith-based engagement, and organizational networks.

Registration end Wednesday October 13th at 6:00pm