Trail Champions: Outdoor Career Panel & Professional Development Workshop

Join TKO & TNC for a free outdoor career panel, asset-mapping workshop & networking event for emerging diverse leaders.
About this Event

Are you passionate about the outdoors and interested in building a career in conservation, environmental education, or public lands stewardship?

Join Trailkeepers of Oregon (TKO) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) at the Oregon Conservation Center for Trail Champions, an empowering afternoon featuring an inspiring panel discussion, an interactive career assets workshop, and direct networking with leaders across Oregon’s outdoor sector.

Whether you're exploring seasonal leadership, non-profit roles, community outreach, or public health, this workshop is designed to equip you with actionable insights, confidence, and meaningful connections to help navigate your career journey.

Program Schedule

• 2:00 PM – 2:15 PM | Welcome & Opening RemarksJoint opening from Trailkeepers of Oregon and The Nature Conservancy, setting the stage for the Trail Champions vision.
• 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM | Moderated Panel DiscussionHear directly from experienced educators, executives, and community organizers as they share their non-linear career pathways, successes, and insights on navigating the outdoor sector.
• 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Audience Q&AAn open Q&A session where you can ask panel leaders your direct career questions.
• 3:30 PM – 3:40 PM | Break & Refreshments
• 3:40 PM – 4:05 PM | Facilitated Workshop: Strengths & Values InventoryAn interactive, asset-based activity centered on Community Cultural Wealth. Identify your unique lived experiences, transferable skills, and core values, and leave with a self-paced SMART Goal planning guide.
• 4:05 PM – 5:00 PM | Open & Structured NetworkingConnect 1-on-1 with panelists, representatives from TKO and TNC, and fellow early-career peers in a welcoming, low-pressure setting.

Featured Panelists

• Charissa V. Jones, Ph.D. (she/her) – Outreach and Access Manager for the OSU Extension Outdoor School Program; scholar-practitioner centering belonging, Black Joy, and environmental equity.
• Matthew Ruddy (he/him) – Educator, DEI Leader, and Co-Leader of the BIPOC Nature Network; advocate for outdoor access and equity with 24+ years in education.
• Yesi Castro (she/her/ella) – Executive Director of CultureSeed; public health and community leader dedicated to health equity, youth development, and connecting young people to nature.
• Additional panelist announcements coming soon!

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is intentionally designed for:

• Students, recent graduates, and career changers eager to explore pathways in conservation, environmental education, non-profits, and outdoor leadership.
• Individuals who have historically been excluded from outdoor spaces and the outdoor industry—including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, and first-generation community members—who are ready to take up space and shape the future of the field.
• Passionate community builders who want to leverage their lived experiences to create more equitable, inclusive, and welcoming environments in the outdoors.
• Emerging leaders looking to expand their professional network and build authentic connections with Oregon outdoor organizations and mentors.