Quotes

“Natural cultural capacity is wisdom that is rooted in connections with the natural world uniquely associated with ethnic and cultural traditions. These traditions might be historic, or created anew in contemporary times; in any case, they are tied to cultural experience.”
– Cheryl Charles, Children & Nature Network
Despite efforts by the National Park Service to engage underserved populations, many blacks and Hispanics remain uninvolved in National Parks. The survey found that non-Hispanic whites comprised 78 percent of park visitors in 2008-2009, compared to Hispanics and African-Americans who accounted for only 9 and 7 percent of visitors, respectively, well below their actual proportions of the U.S. population….
To turn that trend around, we’ll need more folks in the parks and at the conference table; we’ll need to tap our country’s ‘natural cultural capacity.'”
-Richard Louv, Author of Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle
“Stereotypes persist that African-Americans are physically and spiritually detached from the environment. This is a wrongheaded notion so ingrained in our culture that many of us have begun to believe it ourselves.”
-Dianne Glave

 Reports

Screen Shot 2013-09-17 at 8.08.03 PMThe Outdoor Foundation:
Report on outdoor activities participation by age, gender, race, income and much more! Also notes the objections of people who don’t participate in outdoor activities.Report Link
Screen Shot 2013-09-17 at 8.35.45 PMThe Nature Conservancy:
Building Relationship with Communities of Color An initiative in the Western states to connect minorities with conversationReport Link
Screen Shot 2013-09-17 at 8.37.27 PMPublic Policy Institute of California: 
Minority attitudes about the environment. Poll shows Latinos and African-Americans show more concern than whites about air pollution, global warming, etc.Report Link

Articles

WHY WHITE PEOPLE LOVE HIKING.
MINORITIES DON’T.
National Parks Try to Appeal to Minorities

 Minorities Missing in Outdoors
Pittsburgh Tribune Article

Organizations

Outdoor Afro”Where Black People and Nature Meet”

Website

Outdoor NationOutdoor Nation (ON) is a non-profit founded by a community of Outsiders dedicated to reconnecting millennials with the outdoors.

Website

Let’s MoveLet’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams.

Website

American Latino Heritage Fund of the National Park Foundation
Website
 GirlTrek: Outdoor walking movement for Black women and girls
Website
 Outdoors Alliance for Kids: Working to increase outdoor opportunities for a wider spectrum of children.
Website