How WTA is Building a Path to Outdoor Jobs With Leadership and Collaboration
WTA's Emerging Leaders Program, which helps increase access to jobs in the outdoor sector, is heading into its fourth year. We're now accepting applications for the 2024 cohort. And we're looking back at what the program has accomplished so far.
When we created our Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) at WTA, we were hoping to create new entry points for people who were interested in careers in the outdoor industry, natural resources agencies and nonprofits for those who have been left out or excluded from those sectors. Another goal for the program has been to create a safe learning environment where individuals can be themselves, learn and grow together while building an intentional community and professional network.
2024 will be the fourth year of ELP, and we are continuing to adapt and build on the lessons learned from previous years. We keep hearing that getting to know community organizations and industry leaders is a vital part of the program. Members of our past ELP cohorts have told us that learning from individuals who work in the outdoors and seeing the wide range of possibilities for potential careers is a key benefit of their time with ELP.
In 2023, for the first time, we collaborated directly with Washington State Parks. We also worked with several community partners that helped support hands-on learning experiences and give the ELP cohort a chance to network with outdoor professionals. The success of ELP takes intentional planning and strong partnerships to give cohort members a positive experience that helps them move forward on a fulfilling career path.
We are now accepting applications for our 2024 ELP cohort. It’s a good time to look back at what we did in 2023, and celebrate the many community partners that helped us make this program possible.
ELP cohort members learn about trail accessibility at Dash Point State Park. Photos by WTA
Collaboration with Washington State Parks
This year, WTA and Washington State Parks piloted a partnership to support ELP together. Thanks to continued funding through the State Legislature, we’re excited to build on that pilot in the year to come. By working with state parks, the ELP cohort can learn about careers and ways to get involved with the agency, which has 142 state parks throughout Washington and offers a rich diversity of careers. Earlier this year, ELP cohort members connected with state parks staff to learn about trail planning, stewardship management and the folk and traditional arts program. They also learned about the agency’s newly established Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) Team, which includes agency staff and community members and partners who are dedicated to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion across the agency.
"It was wonderful to connect with the Emerging Leaders cohort and learn about their passions and career aspirations,” said Janette Chien, Washington State Parks diversity, equity and inclusion director. “Our Parks team loved working with the cohort doing hands-on trail projects and having great conversations about stewardship and trail accessibility. We look forward to growing this relationship into the future!”
We appreciate the unique opportunities and perspective Washington State Parks brings to the program as a large statewide agency. We look forward to continuing to evolve the conversations and experiences in 2024.
Braided Seeds, Khmer Community of Seattle & King County, N. Seattle Family Resource Center and Outdoor Asian join ELP cohort members on a hike at Dash Point State Park. Photo by Angelic Friday.
Learning and connecting with community leaders and partners
An essential part of creating entry points for individuals into the natural-resources-management and outdoor-recreation sectors is learning from folks who are already doing the work. We have heard repeatedly from ELP alumnx that the connections made in the community have benefits that extend well past the 14-week program.
As the program has continued to evolve, we have been committed to creating opportunities for learning from a variety of professionals. For instance, WTA’s BIPOC board members have talked about leadership with ELP members. And Chevon Powell, founder of Golden Bricks Events, has shared her approach to community building. We value the experience and knowledge each of our partners brings. These opportunities to network, ask questions and be inspired by other BIPOC leaders offers cohort members another resource as they continue on their career path.
“I really enjoyed the partner hike at Dash Point State Park with the ELP cohort members,” said Chris Young of Outdoor Asian. “It was great to learn more about the program and I enjoyed the balance of structured discussion time and organic conversations with all of the attendees.”
Zachary Toliver gives a thumbs up to ELP cohort members’ fine trail work. ELP cohort members Michelle and L on a youth and families BIPOC work party they coordinated with WTA youth program staff. Photos by Zachary Toliver and Tiffany Chou.
Learning with WTA staff
ELP cohort members spend approximately 50 hours of their employment with WTA working on an independent project, with the goal of their personal and professional interests with WTA’s mission and work. The recent 2023 cohort worked with WTA staff members on three different projects.
Trail maintenance was definitely a passion of this cohort, as two of the three projects were centered around further development of their skills in this area. L and Michelle worked closely with WTA’s youth program team to plan and lead a BIPOC youth and families work party at Glendale Forest in late April. The work party was a culmination of the trail maintenance leadership skills they had been developing all spring long. Another member, Shanice, chose to focus on deepening her trail scouting and leadership skills by shadowing Zachary Toliver, our south Puget Sound field coordinator, (Shanice wrote trip reports to document the work parties and scouting trips she attended.)
“I started in ELP myself,” Zachary said. “Coming full circle with the opportunity to be a mentor felt like this program was living up to its ideals — passing on knowledge and building community. Kicking it with this year's cohort members was just as fulfilling as it was fun. They're all amazing folks, and outdoor spaces are better off with these cohort members working as stewards."
Another cohort member, Charlie, shared their writing skills to document the cohort’s backpacking trip to the Olympic Coast in March. They worked with WTA’s editor and the article was published in the May edition of Washington Trails.
Both WTA staff and the cohort members benefit and learn from these independent projects. We look forward to supporting future cohort members as they explore their personal and professional interests and skills.
Through these various opportunities for to engage — with State agency and community partners, BIPOC leaders and WTA staff — ELP cohort members have a variety of ways to explore future career paths. We are grateful for everyone who supports the amazing individuals who join the Emerging Leaders program. If you are an early professional who would be interested in participating in the program, or if you know someone who would be interested, we are currently accepting applications for the 2024 cohort which starts Jan. 16, 2024.
Learn more about the Emerging Leaders Program. Now accepting applications for the 2024 cohort.
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