Earlier this spring, we had the chance to attend an incredible event in Washington, D.C., where we caught up with Akiima Price, co-founder and program advisor for Friends of Anacostia Park — an organization with a mission to enrich the lives of D.C. residents by preserving the park and connecting the surrounding communities to its restoration.
We met Akiima at NatureFest, a lively week-long celebration during D.C. Public Schools’ Spring Break that provides a safe, engaging space for kids and their families to explore nature, have fun and create lasting memories. From boat rides and scavenger hunts to roller skating and live animal encounters, the joy was infectious. This event was a wonderful reminder of how parks can nurture community and connection.
After hearing Akiima speak at the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference, we were inspired by her commitment to restorative park engagement — a human-centered approach to environmental education and programming. One that focuses on a person’s immediate environment and all the factors that contribute to it.
In this episode, Akiima shares how her lived experience shapes her work and why centering humanity is crucial when building deeper relationships with nature and community. And, some very enthusiastic attendees, both kids and parents, shared with us why they appreciate NatureFest so much and all the things they learned.
Tune in to learn:
- What restorative park engagement is and why it matters
- How NatureFest helps families build lasting memories in Anacostia Park
- Why meeting someone’s basic needs is essential for deeper environmental engagement
- How lived experience and empathy drive Akiima’s approach
- What it looks like to design nature programs with the community, not just for them
- And much more!
Learn more:
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Ridiculous History
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.