Abstract
In response to today's changing social climate (i.e., understanding/accepting race relations, gender identity, and sexual orientation), diversity management and training measures are constantly evolving and being created. Regarding environmental education, culturally responsive environmental education (CREE) has become an emerging practice. CREE is a form of environmental education that considers students' customs, identities, experiences, and perspectives as tools for better outdoor teaching and learning. Studies have shown that culturally responsive education provides students with tools that foster positive attitudes and aspirations toward STEM and STEM careers. Because CREE is a novel concept, many environmental organizations are met with questions surrounding CREE that result in little to no training surrounding the practice or need suggestions on improving their training strategies. This study evaluated current CREE training strategies at various organizations through surveys and interviews to determine where and how to improve training strategies. This study found that environmental organizations lack the resources and guidance to improve diversity efforts within their organization. The feedback from survey and interview subjects provided information to develop a working guideline that environmental education organizations can follow to provide improved CREE training. This checklist will enhance connections with their diverse visitors. The guideline created through this study will result in better-trained staff that will ultimately encourage students to enter and further diversify the STEM field.