In 2022, we updated our department Equity and Inclusion Plan (PDF) and submitted it to the Dane County Office of Equity and Inclusion. We expect that this plan will help increase our understanding of equity issues and how we can be a constructive part of a more equitable and inclusive department and county. The plan includes actions and ideas to increase the diversity of our workforce, and identify and remove barriers so that all county residents have equal access to our programs and services. This plan builds on equity initiatives already underway in our department.
The department has a representative serving on the county's Racial Equity and Social Justice team and also has an internal team that works to implement the Equity and Inclusion plan and share learning resources with staff.
In 2021, the Dane County Board of Supervisors contracted with Keen Independent Research to conduct an independent evaluation of equity and access at Dane County Parks and the Henry Vilas Zoo. The final report (PDF) includes a number of recommendations and resources that will be used to refine our equity and inclusion plan.
