Eppley Center for Parks and Public Lands

Happy 36th Anniversary to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)! Did you know that the ADA National Network is a free resource that provides information and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act? Learn more about the resources you can access here: adata.org/national-network

Earlier this week our assistant research scientist Kristy Anderson joined a panel of outdoor professionals to discuss core competencies. That webinar was part one of a four-part series. Join the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals tomorrow to learn more about the Outdoor Recreation Professional Competency Framework!

On Wednesday, July 15 we will be covering how the Outdoor Recreation Professional Competency Framework is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing agencies, nonprofits, and organizations of all sizes to tailor it to their unique contexts, missions, and staffing structures.

You’ll hear from three speakers:

Amanda Noyes
Amanda began her Forest Service career in 2000 and has served on four national forests across three regions. Her experience spans a wide range of recreation and public‑facing roles, including Environmental Education Assistant, trail crew member, Permit Administrator, District Recreation Staff Officer, and Forest Recreation Program Manager. She later joined the FS Enterprise Program, where she led work in Recreation Special Uses, complex recreation projects, and National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM). Amanda now serves as the National Assistant Recreation Special Uses Program Manager in the Washington Office, bringing deep program knowledge, field experience, and a collaborative approach to national‑level work.

Christy Tafoya
Christy has been a leader in government management, outdoor recreation, planning and education within New Mexico for over 34 years. Currently providing consulting services to governmental agencies, businesses, communities and non-profits, Christy strives to help organizations with streamlining operational management, conducting strategic planning, and increasing state and national public-private partnerships.

Kris Wahlers
Kris has worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife for over 25 years as a Ranger, Senior Ranger, Trails Coordinator, Boating Law Administrator, Operations Manager, Park Manager, and Acting Deputy Regional Manager. During that time, he's also been an instructor in several fields and a mentor. Professional employee recruitment, development, and retention has always been a very high priority for him. He hopes that the framework will be a great tool to help support individuals and supervisors alike in his agency.

www.recpro.org/events

Join our team members Colleen Durkin-Blackburn and Kate Wiltz as they present "An Intro to Web Accessibility Requirements for Park and Recreation Professionals" in partnership with Indiana Park & Recreation Association . This educational webinar explores the U.S. Department of Justice’s ADA Title II requirements for web and mobile accessibility, with a focus on parks and recreation settings.

Learn more about the webinar: https://www.inpra.org/event-calendar #!event/2026/7/13/an-intro-to-web-accessibility-requirements-for-park-and-recreation-professionals

Join us virtually this week to learn more core competencies. Eppley's assistant research scientist Kristy Anderson joins a group of panelists to discuss the foundation of the Outdoor Recreation Professional Competency Framework.

In case you missed the announcement… we recently announced a landmark achievement for the outdoor recreation profession — the launch of the Outdoor Recreation Professional Competency Framework (ORPCF).

The ORPCF was developed through a collaborative partnership between the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) and the U.S. Forest Service. This launch is more than just a document… it is a defining moment for our profession. It signals that outdoor recreation planning and management is a serious, skilled, and valued field deserving of the same professional recognition as any other discipline.

We invite you to join us for our upcoming FREE four-part webinar series to learn how to put it to work in your career and organization.

Webinar One Details:

💻 What Are Core Competencies, and Why This Framework?

🗓️ July 8

⏰ 1pm MT (3pm ET / 2pm CT / 12pm PT)

❓ This foundational session introduces the Outdoor Recreation Professional Competency Framework. Participants will explore what professional core competencies are, how this framework was developed, and why it represents a landmark step in legitimizing the outdoor recreation profession.

🔗 https://www.recpro.org/events

Stay cool out there folks! With this heat wave across the eastern U.S., it is important to play and recreate safely. Be smart about when you are outside (10am-6pm is typically the hottest part of day), hydrate, listen to your body, make smart clothing choices, get good rest, and if possible, avoid helmets or sporting equipment that hold in heat. For more information, check out this useful PBS news article from a bit ago: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/6-tips-for-staying-safe-in-while-exercising-or-playing-in-extreme-heat

Join Eppley's Kristy Anderson on July 8th to learn more about Core Competencies. Kristy will be part of a panel of Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals and U.S. Forest Service professionals to discuss the ins and outs of Core Competencies.

In case you missed the announcement… we recently announced a landmark achievement for the outdoor recreation profession — the launch of the Outdoor Recreation Professional Competency Framework (ORPCF).

The ORPCF was developed through a collaborative partnership between the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) and the U.S. Forest Service. This launch is more than just a document… it is a defining moment for our profession. It signals that outdoor recreation planning and management is a serious, skilled, and valued field deserving of the same professional recognition as any other discipline.

We invite you to join us for our upcoming FREE four-part webinar series to learn how to put it to work in your career and organization.

Webinar One Details:

💻 What Are Core Competencies, and Why This Framework?

🗓️ July 8

⏰ 1pm MT (3pm ET / 2pm CT / 12pm PT)

❓ This foundational session introduces the Outdoor Recreation Professional Competency Framework. Participants will explore what professional core competencies are, how this framework was developed, and why it represents a landmark step in legitimizing the outdoor recreation profession.

🔗 https://www.recpro.org/events

Are you planning a trip to Indiana this summer? Our senior program manager, Colleen Durkin-Blackburn, is quoted in the Limestone Post regarding amazing accessible must-see attractions in Indiana. Make sure you check out the article below to plan the ultimate accessible summer trip!

Accessibility-Friendly Parks and Places, an Indiana Travel Guide Writer Laurie Borman explores 13 Hoosier spots designed with accessibility in mind.

We are delighted to announce our team members Colleen Durkin-Blackburn and Kate Wiltz will be presenting "An Intro to Web Accessibility Requirements for Park and Recreation Professionals" in partnership with Indiana Park & Recreation Association. This educational webinar explores the U.S. Department of Justice’s ADA Title II requirements for web and mobile accessibility, with a focus on parks and recreation settings.

Learn more about the webinar: https://www.inpra.org/event-calendar #!event/2026/7/13/an-intro-to-web-accessibility-requirements-for-park-and-recreation-professionals

Today marks the first day of National Garden Week! National Garden Week spans June 7-13, 2026. Have you always wanted to start a community garden but don't know where to start? Our course "Creating a Community Through Gardens" walks you through the steps of taking a community garden from an idea to a reality over the course of the year.

Make your community garden dreams a reality by enrolling today!

Learn more about this course: https://expand.iu.edu/browse/iidc/eppley/courses/creating-a-community-through-gardens

Happy World Environment Day! World Environment Day was created to draw attention and action to protecting the environment. Learn more about your organization's impact on the environment with our online course "An Environmental Audit Primer." This easy-to-understand course will guide you through the steps to pursue an audit, complete with corrective actions and a closing meeting.

Learn more about this course: https://expand.iu.edu/browse/iidc/eppley/profskills/courses/an-environmental-audit-primer