By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Conservation Halton has officially become Rainbow Registered — a national accreditation that signals a business or organization is 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive and has met a rigorous set of standards to ensure a welcoming experience for all. This designation is more than a sticker on a door: it reflects years of intentional, behind-the-scenes work by the team at Conservation Halton to align policies, programming, and workplace culture with principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Tamanna Kohi, communications specialist at Conservation Halton, says the accreditation is a milestone that builds on a foundation already in place. “For us, the Rainbow Registered designation wasn’t the start of the journey, it was the next step. Conservation Halton’s core values from the beginning have been that nature is for everyone, and this recognition affirms that our parks are spaces where all people can feel safe and seen.”
The Rainbow Accreditation application process required Conservation Halton to undergo a full assessment across four key pillars: policies and practices, training, commitment to inclusive leadership, and public representation. Their application was championed by the organization’s IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Advisory Group, which formed in 2023 and consists of 14 staff members from different departments. The group meets quarterly to review progress on DEI initiatives and ensure that efforts are woven into all levels of the organization.
“We created an EDI framework as part of our strategic plan because we believe inclusion has to be embedded into the culture — it can’t be an afterthought,” Kohi says. “That work was already happening through events like Pride in Nature and partnerships with 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations. This accreditation gives us a formal structure and a renewed sense of accountability.”
Pride in Nature began as a one-day event in 2021 and has grown into a month-long celebration each June. With family-friendly programming, interactive nature-based activities, and educational signage, the initiative invites people of all identities to explore the natural world through an inclusive lens. Visitors can discover fascinating facts, like which animal species exhibit diverse mating behaviours or plants that challenge traditional binary sex classifications, through specially designed signs placed throughout the parks.
“The Pride signs are often a spark for conversation,” Kohi says. “I’ve seen parents stop and say, ‘I didn’t know that!’ It’s a simple way to connect people to the idea that diversity isn’t just human: it’s all around us in nature.”
For many visitors, these initiatives have had a personal impact. One guest, after seeing the Rainbow Registered decal displayed at a Conservation Halton location, told staff how meaningful it was to feel represented in outdoor spaces. “They said they’d always be proud to support Conservation Halton after seeing that,” Kohi recalls. “That kind of feedback shows that this work matters.”
The accreditation, which is valid for three years, isn’t the end goal: it’s a promise to continue the work. Conservation Halton is committed to ongoing training for staff and volunteers, incorporating inclusive language and policies, and extending its celebration of pride beyond June.
“Our parks don’t close after Pride Month,” Kohi notes. “We’re here year-round, and we want everyone who walks into a Conservation Halton space to feel like they can be their most authentic self. Nature reflects the strength of diversity, and so should we.”
