Diversify the Outdoors
Our mission to connect people, communities and the natural world can only occur when outdoor spaces, hiking trails, parks, and careers in science and conservation are safe and welcoming for all people. No matter the race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, lives should be treated with equality. Racism is just as real on our public lands as it is in our cities. We cannot instill a sense of connection to the environment when any discrimination occurs in outdoor spaces.
Yet we find these words inadequate. As a white, majority organization, we recognize we have work to do. We pledge to match our words and resources with actions and will set program and organization goals to ensure we move forward with equity, inclusion, and diversity. We believe that EVERYONE should have the opportunity to learn about, engage with, and develop a love and appreciation for the natural world. We all need to work hard to be more inclusive and challenge our biases.
We commit to fight systemic racism in our spheres of work and influence – education and environmentalism. We commit to continuing our own learning and hope you do to.
Use these links below to learn more about diversifying the outdoors and the different organizations working towards that mission.
- Outdoor Afro
- Latino Outdoors
- Team Naturaleza
- Melanin Base Camp
- Earthtone Outside
- Wild Diversity
- Diversify Outdoors
- Outdoors Alliance for Kids
- Embracing Equity
- Native Women's Wilderness
- GirlVentures
- Natives Outdoors
Check out this article written by a Black Leavenworth local, Chelsea Murphy
A resource showing how to include Tribal history and land acknowledgment in your outdoor experiences
Books on our reading lists are:
- Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors by Carolyn Finney
- How to be Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
- We Want To Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom by Bettina Love
- Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race by Beverly Daniel Tatum
- White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
Podcasts we are listening to:
