A Partnership Made for the Outdoors
The Foundation’s Executive Director, Kindra, and Program Manager, Austin, recently gave an in-class lecture presentation to students at Old Dominion University (ODU). These students are enrolled in the fall semester Introduction to Park and Recreation Management course class of the Park, Recreation, and Tourism Studies (PRTS) program within the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies. The college course introduces students to the field of park and recreation management, including public, private/commercial service, and non-profit organizations – organizations like the Elizabeth River Trail (ERT) Foundation that helps program, plan, and advocate for the designated National Recreation Trail that runs right through the heart of ODU’s campus.
Students were given a brief preview of the ERT Foundation’s mission, snapshots of “mission moments” of achievement and learning, and thorough insight of nonprofit management in the recreation management industry. Additionally, the staff was able to provide students with tips and helpful advice for those who might want to turn PRTS into a career after graduation. Luckily, Kindra herself has served in the Virginia Service and Conservation Corps through AmeriCorps in several Park Ranger roles, has a successful background in nonprofit management, and is a Certified Interpretive Guide and a Tidewater Master Naturalist. Furthermore, Austin is a graduate of the Recreation Management – Outdoor Experiential Education program at Appalachian State University, with a multitude of recreation management career experiences in federal, state government, private commercial, and nonprofit sectors – which ranges from botanic garden programming to aquarium education, from national parks to theme parks.
The introductory course professor, Dr. Adam Fix, has partnered with the ERT Foundation before, which allowed him to offer course students real-life experiential opportunities and hands-on application of course materials learned throughout the semester. This year is no different: students will be visiting the new-for-this-year ERT Trailside Headquarters next month and will have the opportunity to assist with ERT programming and events later this fall season!