Audrey Peterman, President of Earthwise Productions, delivered a passionate keynote address on the need to make minority populations feel connected to the public lands. She shared how her personal connection to our public lands came from a transformational cross-country road trip. Many populations have certain misconceptions about the outdoors, she said, and remarked that many of her friends and family did not think it was safe for her to be in the parks as a woman of color. In general, she said, Americans of color are disconnected from and unaware of the public lands that we all own and share. Agencies need to be mindful about how they are communicating to this groups, as engaging them is key to the lands’ survival. Ms. Peterman recommended publicizing stories such as the Buffalo Soldiers, showing people of color that they do in fact have a long tradition of involvement with the parks. She herself does not buy into the idea that it is difficult of get people of color out recreating on public lands, but the key is to have a credible message brought by a credible person in a package they understand. Ms. Peterman later autographed copies of her new book,
Legacy on the Land: A Black Couple Discovers Our National Inheritance and Tells Why We Every American Should Care, for Partners Outdoors participants.
Nina Roberts, Associate Professor at San Francisco State University, reported on her research on why more youth and minorities aren’t participating in outdoor recreation. Due to the huge population growth of minority populations in the U.S. – what Dr. Roberts referred to as “the browning of America” – it is critical to engage these populations. She reported that 1/4 of the children in this country under the age of five are Latino. We need to be mindful that today’s kids are more into extreme sports than traditional outdoor activities, and urban youth are the trendsetters in this country. Dr. Roberts cited the traditional constraints for getting these kids outside as: lack of outdoor socialization as children, discomfort, communication issues, access, education, lack of information, lack of marketing to minority communities, fear and safety concerns, perceived discrimination, and historical context. She suggested that agencies hire a dedicated position to minority outreach and recommended sensitivity training for all employees. Groups need to consider all aspects of outreach, including facility design, research, communication, outreach to faith-based leaders, transportation, and economic motivators such as internships and paid employment on public lands. Dr. Roberts encouraged the group to involve minority youth in outreach efforts to remain relevant, but also to be authentic.
Art Hutchinson, Superintendent of the National Park Service’s Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, reported on the successes of their relatively new outreach program, Ambassadors for Wilderness. As many people in the area surrounding the park feel disenfranchised, he said, the climate provides many challenges but also many opportunities for outreach to the area’s youth. The program takes students from the two poorest communities in Colorado out for a trip into the park. The participation fees are waived for families who cannot pay and the fees are picked up by the park’s friends groups. The program incorporates outdoor education, route finding, ice breakers and peer mentoring into the process. The program continues to grow, and NPS is working to make it a sustainable experience.
For resources provided by Dr. Roberts, check out the resources on the Partners Outdoors flash drives.
Download Great Sand Dunes Ambassadors for Wilderness Program Presentation
