Multicultural Family Center Director Jacqueline Hunter featured in Iowa Natural Heritage Magazine Copyrighted
J une 7, 2021
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 13.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Multicultural Family Center Director Jacqueline Hunterfeatured in lowa
Natural Heritage Magazine
SUM MARY: City Manager providing a copy of the Spring 2021 issue of lowa Natural
Heritage in which Multicultural Family Center Director Jacqueline Hunter
is featured.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Jackie HunterArticle Supporting Documentation
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SPRING 2021 II
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Lefi:Photo provided cour tesy of lululticuliural Family Ceni�r
Center.Photo p�ovided courtesy ofAdam Janl<e
Ri�ht:Photo by La Rae Randall
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W Exploring nature and self-identity in lowa's public parks
� INTRODUCTION BY KATY HEGGEN
Communications Specialist I kheggen@inhf.org
� �
The following introduction and coliection o f essays and interviews are part o f an
ongoing series,Lay o f the Land,that seeks to expiore the different tNays peopie engage
with nature,and how those experiences both on and off the iand have in formed their
relationship to it.We beiieve the more we understand about our own and others'
experiences on the iand,the better we'11 be able to work together to protect and care for
it.To view other stories in the series,visit inh f.org/about-us/publications
-Iowa Natural Heritage Editorial Team
Iowa is home to 72 state parks President Joe McGovern. "We think
and recreation areas,ten state the protection of Iowa's land,water
forests,95 state preserves and 492 and wildlife can go hand-in-hand
wildlife management areas,and with making sure those places are
hundreds of county and municipal more welcoming for all."
II parks.Each of these public natural Many individuals and groups are
areas offers opportunities to explore working to change that,expanding
both the subtle and staggering beauty practical access to public spaces for
of Iowa's outdoors.And for many, marginalized groups by exposing
they provide spaces for personal obstacles,breaking down barriers
growth,development and an expanded and rejecting stereotypes.In doing so,
self-identity. they create opportunities for people to
"These lands are by definition connect with themselves,each other
available for all people,but we and the outdoors.They also make these
recognize that those outdoor spaces-which are shaped by nature's
spaces haven't always been safe or own diversity-infinitely richer.
welcoming for everybody,"said INHF
12 IOUIRN RTURRL HERITAGE SPRING 2021
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Left Photo by Lauren Matisylc P�ovidc ci �,�'� ��
WONT TO WANDER '� �
courtesy of Wander Women , ,,,�� � . �
Ri�ht:Photo by La Rae Randall
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BY KERRI SORRELL "
Co-owner, Wander Women,Speci�l to INHF
The best times in my life have been their connection to Mother Nature, unwind and find a centering peace � i
spent outside with friends in places themselves and others looking for that can often only be found in the �
new to me,and at the same time, community. quietness of the outdoors,"wrote one �
deeply familiar.There is a power and Whether we weren't taught outdoor participant. "Jenn and her guides �
sense of wholeness that comes to me skills as kids,have spent our lives are masters of fun,education and
when in nature that I haven't found putting our own adventures on hold inclusion and they put their heart and
anywhere else,and a connection to to raise families,or simply don't feel soul into every Wonder Women trip."
the land and the people I'm enjoying it safe venturing out alone or to new Wander Women couldn't be more i�
, with.To put it simply,for me,to be in places,the barriers that keep women grateful to be a part of this growing ;�
nature is to be in community. from getting outside are real and loom community and expanding outdoor t�f
I believe there is an intrinsic love large.Those barriers are even more access to women. (� Fi
for and knowledge of the natural world daunting for LGBTQ+folks,women of ���
that we feel as women.It's something color,women with physical limitations �f
that transcends millennia.It's in the and folks who don't have the time or "•' ' ' ' ' " ' ' " ' ' ' �i
.. . . . . .. .
wisdom that has been passed down financial means to get outdoors. � � �_ . .. , . ._, �
from the world's original people,the Wander Women aims to help • .- • ••• - •-• - • • • •
experiences of trailblazers in science break those barriers down,offering - ' E�
and conservation,and the information trips full of knowledge sharing, _ I�
imparted by moms on afternoon hikes skills workshops,fire circles,deep - • - � • • -
with their kids.And yet,often,that conversations and opportunities for ' ' ''' ' ��' � ' �
-. -. .- . .
connection and community are absent connection.We also offer financial _ ._ _ . . - . . . .
in our lives,lost to the day-to-day or assistance and scholarships to help - • • •• • • '
withheld from us due to lack of access, make adventure accessible to folks • - -
education or perceived ability. who have historically been excluded - -. . ... -. . -
I should introduce myself.I'm from our outdoor spaces. - . - - . .
Kerri.I co-own Wander Women Iowa, The need-and the demand-for _� . ... - - - , ...
a business founded to empower and women-centered outdoor experiences � '� ,
bring together women all across is massive.When we launched our _
. -.• .-
the state on all-inclusive camping, 2on trips this February,they sold out �
paddling and backpacking trips. in 5 hours. ' ° ' ' '
. . . . . . �
When my co-owner Jenn started "Wander Women provides a much � : � ��� �_. _ _ i
Wander Women in 2oi8,she knew needed and valued opportunity for .. - . . . . ..- • �- �.
that women face significant barriers women of any age,aUility,size or ' - ' ' ' ' ' ' " ' ' °"
•"• o • •. ' ��
to enjoying the outdoors,but when background to gather together and
given the opportunity,can rediscover learn about,experience,explore,
inhf.org 13 'I
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F I N D I N G F R E E D O M Photos provided courtesy of ,
Jacqueline Hunter f-��" ,� ` '
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BY GENNA CLEMEN �H��� r��' ~, . ��,`�:m.���`„� `�
Communications Assistant I gclemen@inhf.org
�_,
Jacqueline Hunter first found peace becoine the director of MFC.Here, what they do or that these aren't
and healing in the outdoors during she shares her vision for how the experiences they can partake in begin
her time in the military.In nature,her community could better support to break down."
' daily worries and fears seemed to fade young people and families.Creating Many of the young people
away.Years later,she again sought opportunities for area youth to get participating in programs through the
solace in the outdoors,this time with outdoors is part of that vision. MFC have experienced trauma.The
her children who have inherited her Many of the young people that the outdoors provide a space free of the
love of the outdoors. MFC serves have not experienced the worry and stress many kids face in their
"When we're out there camping, outdoors up close.Families in the daily lives.Here,they can find release,
there's a calmness and peace.It's area are familiar with community rejuvenation and resilience in new
the only place where we all unplug," parks,but many have yet to experience spaces,and explore their capabilities.
she said. nature in more immersive ways. "You begin to see a vibrancy that
When Hunter first moved to the "We serve a large population of is lost in their day-to-day,"Hunter
� Midwest,she was excited to find an people of color as well as children who said. "When they are planning their
abundance of natural places.Coming are living in poverty,"she said."For activities or walking barefoot through
from Florida,the rural sites,away whatever reason,parents don't see the a stream you can see that they are
from noisy highways and cities,were outdoors as affordable or safe." absolutely free and they know
a welcome surprise.The move also To bridge this gap,the center they're free."
sparked a desire to make sure her created Nature Nomads,a year-long Hunter sees a responsibility
children were part of a multicultural program that advocates for outdoor from the entire community to make
community similar to the one they'd education for young people. sure that opportunities like this are
been part of in Florida. For many of the teens participating available and attainable for everyone.
Early on,she reached out to the in Nature Nomads,nature provides "Iowa offers so many amazing
Multicultural Family Center(MFC) more than a chance to explore Iowa's outdoor experiences;'Hunter said.
in Dubuque,which strives to build outdoors.It offers opportunities for `And many times,there are low to no
unity out of diversity through growth,development and an expanded costs associated with them.I think it's
partnerships,programs and events sense of self. important that we let people know that
in the city.Hunter's passion for youth "You begin to see a courage build;' these are spaces for everybody." (�
and education eventually led her to Hunter said."The idea that this isn't
14 IOU1R NATURAL HERITRGE SPRING 2021 I
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Photos provided courtesy ofAdam Janl<e "~�4' �
OUT IN THE OUTDOORS �'� �
BY EMILY MARTIN
xs�✓l �
Conservation Program Coordinotor I emartin@inhf.org '� r,
�_� �'
For many people,getting outdoors space for personal introspection.But '�
can Ue meditative.Away from external Ueing in isolated areas can also inake :�
pressures and expectations,it Uecomes the process of coming out exceptionally to foster a more inclusive,welcoming '� �
easier to explore and develop a sense of challenging.Having places to explore culture where diversity of all kinds is
self.For Adam Janke,public lands have identity and connect with community clearly embraced."OiTF also provides
been a particularly important space to are invaluable.The outdoors offers education opportunities for other
TWS members on to ics like ender i�
explore identity. opportunities to do both. P g
' "Being different is the defining An increasing number of queer identity and how to create safe, �f
experience in nature.Differences people are finding community in the afFirming spaces. ��
are what make ecology interesting. outdoors.Groups like Queer Hikers "Diverse experiences among people �
Examining those differences can help of Iowa,Venture Out Project,Unlikely create diverse voices.Diverse voices �I
you accept your own;'said Janke,the Hikers,Pattie Gonia and Wild Diversity, yield diverse ideas.Diverse ideas ��
statewide wildlife extension specialist among others,provide opportunities solve challenges and lift others up;' ,
with Iowa State Universiry Extension for the LGBTQ+community to connect, wrote Janke in a recent essay penned �I
and Outreach. get outdoors together and see itself for Iowa Learning Farms about the I�'�
An avid hunter originally from represented in outdoor spaces.They're value of diversity in ecology and the
Indiana,the outdoors have always been also raising awareness about the conservation communiry. ��
at the core of Janke's identity.When dangers LBGTQ+people face outdoors Upon inoving to Iowa,Janke fell � �
he moved to South Dakota to pursue because of continued discrimination in love with places like Boone Forks I
his PhD in Wildlife and Fisheries based on gender identity or sexual Wildlife Management Area in Hamilton �
Sciences,Janke had a lot of solitary time orientation,and the need for increased County and Central Iowa's trail system.
outdoors,during which he began to advocacy for safer,more accessible and He continues to enjoy exploring these � I II
define his own queerness.* inclusive outdoor spaces in Iowa. areas independently as well as with
' fI
"I spent a lot of time alone in the Janke is also committed to others in Iowa's LGBTQ+communiry.
field for my research.I spent a lot of increasing visibility,building "It was at the intersection of my two !
r nd lovin the 'I
time hunting.I had time alone with community and support for LGBTQ+ identrties,being quee a g i �I
my identity.I came out as a gay man.It people in the conservation field. One outdoors,where I found community,"
was a transformative time in my life;' way he does so is as organizer for Out Janke said. [�
anke said. in the Field(OiTF�,a group formed I�I�
J Janke's experience echoes that of by LGBTQ+members of The Wildlife �In the past,queer was a negative or pejorative I
term for peopie who are gay.Todny,the tertn is ;
others in Iowa's lesbian,gay,bisexual, Society(TWS)in 2oig,to"make increasingly being used to describe a11 identities '
transgender,queer+(LGBTQ+) LBGTQ+TWS members more visible that go against normative beiief's,including
t)tose in the LGBTQ+commuitity with more
communiry.Time alone outdoors so that we can support and mentor fluid identities. �
provided Janke with time and literal each other,and work with our allies !
i
inhf.org 15