Dear Friend, I would like to introduce myself; my name is Sean Kane Holland, I am a 34 year old man born with Spina Bifida - and I am the new Access Nature Disability Advocate with Pinelands Preservation Alliance (PPA). I wanted to reach out to you today to update you on a new initiative that the Pinelands Preservation Alliance (PPA) is undertaking as part of βThe Pinelands is for Everyoneβ project called the Access Nature Forum. Iβd be delighted if you would join us in this task to make New Jerseyβs beautiful and pristine natural and cultural resources more accessible to those with disabilities and make the Pinelands more inclusive for our diverse community. The Access Nature Forum was created to bring together a diverse selection of like-minded individuals to have conversations about improving access to natural places. We aim to engage those with disabilities, their families, caregivers, veteransβ groups, assisted living organizations, advocacy groups, nonprofit organizations, state, and local officials, and agencies in a public discourse that identifies public interest, concerns, and ideas, and join their voices for improving access to natural places. We will hold quarterly conversations via Zoom with the potential to add more meeting dates as our plan develops. If you are interested in participating in the forum discussions you can sign up for updates here. I am extending an invitation to you to participate in this public forum and zoom meetings as this project proceeds. I can be reached via the contact information below. I look forward to speaking with you soon and continuing to nourish our partnership to achieve our goal to make the Pinelands more inclusive to our diverse community. |