Department of Botany

Equity and Inclusion in the Field

Embarking on fieldwork can be challenging and intimidating, especially for those with no previous experience. Recognizing that this presents an accessibility barrier for some, members of the Botany DEI committee have worked to provide information and resources for all members of the department to allow everyone to participate in this critical aspect of our work, regardless of background or experience.

• Field work resources: This document contains information on available trainings, reporting procedures, how to establish clear expectations with a group, and suggested equipment checklists.
• Field safety plan: This document provides a template for recording all necessary information and establishing check-in procedures before beginning field work.

 

Field gear library

In addition to knowing how to properly approach field work, the cost of certain gear can be another barrier to safe, inclusive field work. To help alleviate that barrier, the Botany DEI committee worked with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to purchase some basic field safety equipment for use by anyone in the department performing field work. This equipment can be reserved and checked out free of charge to make research in the field more accessible to everyone in our department. To reserve/check out an item from the library, please email Topher Weiss-Lehman at cweissle@uwyo.edu. We hope to continue to acquire more items as needed, but below is an initial list of items available for check-out:

• First aid kits (4 available)
• Personal locator beacons (3 available)
• Emergency safety kits (including bivy sack, compass, fire starter; 4 available)
• Two-way radios (3 sets of 2 available)
• Portable car battery jump kit (2 available)
• Bear spray (3 available)