Diversity in the Outdoors: Resources & Action Guide

The wind on an exposed ridge does not discriminate. It bites the same exposed skin regardless of zip code. The quiet of a cedar grove offers the same peace to every set of lungs. Yet, if you stand at a popular trailhead and watch the faces passing by, the demographics are rarely random.

They are the result of designed history, economic barriers, and cultural exclusion.

In my years working as an outdoor instructor, I have seen brilliant students hesitate to take up space in the mountains because they didn’t see anyone who looked like them on the summit. True outdoor competence is not just about reading a topo map or setting anchors. It is about understanding the human terrain you traverse and ensuring the “public” in public lands truly means everyone.

This guide unpacks the history of The Nature Gap, identifies the organizations actively dismantling it, and provides a toolkit for effective allyship.

What is the “Nature Gap” and Why Does It Exist?

The Nature Gap refers to the unequal distribution of nature access in the United States. To understand why 74% of communities of color live in nature-deprived areas, we have to look past current preferences and examine the administrative decisions of the past.

How did historical segregation shape modern public lands?

The roots of historical exclusion in our National Parks go deeper than cultural differences; they are embedded in federal policy. During the 1930s, the National Park Service (NPS) often bowed to local pressure to enforce segregation laws. A prime example is the “Gentleman’s Agreement” regarding Shenandoah National Park. To avoid political friction in Virginia, the NPS adopted local laws, effectively barring Black visitors from primary lodges.

This led to the creation of designated “Negro Areas,” such as the Lewis Mountain Campground, which physically separated Black families from the main scenic overlooks. Although the NPS eventually adopted a nondiscrimination policy in 1945, implementation was slow. As detailed in Colorado State University research on segregation in public lands, it often took external legal pressure to enforce integration.

The legacy of this exclusion created a “generational disconnect,” often referred to as The Adventure Gap. When grandparents are legally barred from a space, they cannot pass down the skills or traditions of camping to their grandchildren. This mirrors the broader history of hiking, which often centers on narratives that exclude these painful realities. Beyond policy, the cultural memory of woods as sites of racial violence established a psychological barrier, equating wilderness areas with danger rather than recreation for many Black Americans.

What is the connection between redlining and urban tree equity?

While segregation shaped the great outdoors, discriminatory maps were simultaneously being drawn in the cities. The Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) redlining maps of the 1930s graded neighborhoods from “A” (Best/White) to “D” (Hazardous/Minority). These grades directly correlate to modern environmental challenges.

Today, formerly redlined “Grade D” neighborhoods have significantly fewer trees, with canopy coverage averaging just 23% compared to 43% in “Grade A” zones. This lack of green infrastructure creates “Urban Heat Islands,” where concrete-heavy areas experience ambient temperatures up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than wealthier districts.

The consequences are lethal and economic. Residents in these nature-deprived areas face higher rates of asthma and heat stroke. According to American Forests analysis on redlining and canopy coverage, this creates a physical barrier to the outdoors that begins at the front door. Addressing this gap requires advocating for “Tree Equity” and using resources like urban hiking trails to reclaim green space within city limits.

How has Indigenous land stewardship been erased?

The modern conservation movement was largely built on the myth of “pristine wilderness.” This idea ignored the reality that Indigenous communities had actively managed North American ecosystems for millennia. A primary tool of this management was “cultural burning,” used by tribes like the Karuk and Yurok to clear underbrush and prevent catastrophic wildfires.

Federal agencies criminalized these Indigenous practices in the early 20th century, implementing a policy of total fire suppression symbolized by the Smokey Bear campaign. The NOAA report on Indigenous fire management confirms that the ecological blowback has been severe, leading to overgrown national forests that fuel today’s “mega-fires.”

A paradigm shift is now occurring as agencies integrate Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), recognizing fire as “medicine” for the land. Hikers must understand that the “wild” is often a garden untended for a century. Learning to spot Indigenous history in National Parks is a vital step in acknowledging this erased stewardship.

Which Organizations Are Leading the Change?

There is a robust ecosystem of affinity groups and non-profits working to reconnect marginalized communities with the land. These organizations are the “product” you can join, support, or emulate.

Who are the major affinity groups for BIPOC hikers?

Outdoor Afro, founded by Rue Mapp, has become a national force in reconnecting Black people to nature. With networks in 60+ cities, they focus on joy and community rather than technical conquest. Similarly, Latino Outdoors, founded by José González, connects comunidad and cultura with the outdoors, offering bilingual programming. Outdoor Asian works to challenge the “model minority” myth, exploring the intersection of ancestral history and modern recreation.

Other pivotal groups include Melanin Base Camp, founded by Danielle Williams, which amplifies the voices of people of color in adventure sports through digital media. Black Girls Trekkin’ and Hike Clerb specifically create safe spaces for women of color. The Diversify Outdoors coalition hub brings these various efforts together to push for broad industry change.

These groups do more than host group hikes; they train leaders to facilitate culturally safe experiences. Programs like Outdoor Afro’s “Making Waves” address swim safety, while the Latino Outdoors mission focuses on removing cost barriers. If you are new to the outdoors and looking for community, combining these groups with our hiking beginner tips can provide a solid foundation.

What communities exist for LGBTQ+, Disabled, and Plus-Size hikers?

Unlikely Hikers, led by Jenny Bruso, is a body-liberating community for the “underrepresented,” focusing on slow-paced group hikes that reject the speed-focused mentality of traditional alpinism. For those navigating chronic illness or disability, Disabled Hikers founded by Syren Nagakyrie is a critical resource. They utilize the “Spoon Theory” to create trail guides, providing difficulty ratings based on energy management and pain levels rather than just elevation gain.

The Venture Out Project and LGBTQ+ Outdoors specialize in wilderness trips for the LGBTQIA+ community. They provide physically safe environments where members can express their identities without fear. Advocates like Pattie Gonia use drag and art to highlight environmental issues and queer visibility.

The Disabled Hikers mission highlights the importance of adaptive information, such as detailing trail surfaces for mobility aids. For hikers needing extra stability, using the right gear, like those found in our benefits of trekking poles guide, is often encouraged by these communities.

Which groups focus on youth mentorship and conservation careers?

The Greening Youth Foundation, founded by Angelou Ezeilo, bridges the “career gap” by connecting underrepresented youth with federal land management jobs. They are diversifying the future outdoor workforce of the NPS and US Forest Service. Urban Saddles in Los Angeles uses equestrian culture to mentor youth, preserving Black cowboy history while providing trauma-informed care.

Semillitas Outdoors (meaning “Little Seeds”) fosters the next generation of conservationists through bilingual nature play. Other notable groups include Outward Bound Adventures and GirlTrek, which frames walking as a radical act of self-care for Black women. As outlined in the Greening Youth Foundation organizational overview, these programs provide pathways to stable employment in the green economy. Getting kids involved early often requires specific equipment; our guide on kids hiking boots can help parents outfit their young adventurers properly.

How Can Hikers Overcome Financial and Physical Barriers?

Inclusion is often a logistics problem. Here is a practical infrastructure guide for finding free gear, accessible transport, and funding.

Where can I find gear libraries and lending programs?

Gear libraries function exactly like book libraries. They allow users to borrow high-cost items like tents, backpacks, and boots for free or a nominal fee, removing the initial $500+ barrier to entry, often cited as the cost of gear. Major hubs include The Mountaineers Gear Library in Seattle, River City Outdoors in St. Louis, and the Appalachian Mountain Club in the Northeast.

Many of these programs require a brief safety course before borrowing. This ensures users are confident and reduces damage to inventory. According to The Mountaineers Gear Library program details, this education model is highly successful. Peer-to-peer platforms like GeerGarage also allow rentals between neighbors. This concept pairs perfectly with our strategies for building a budget hiking gear kit.

Pro-Tip: Check with your local university outdoor center. Many have rental fleets available to the general public, not just students, often at rates far lower than commercial shops.

How do “Transit-to-Trails” initiatives improve access?

Many premier trailheads are located in areas that demand a private vehicle, excluding lower-income urban residents. Seattle’s Trailhead Direct service is a leading model, using public buses to transport hikers from the city center to trails like Mount Si. In New York, the Metro-North train offers dedicated stops for hikers, including a direct drop-off on the Appalachian Trail.

Apps like TOTAGO (Turn Off The App Go Outside) help users plan transit-based hiking trips by integrating bus schedules with trail maps. The American Trails report on participation emphasizes that transportation barriers are a top hurdle for participation. Supporting these initiatives brings the US closer to the accessible models of hiking Europe’s parks car-free.

What scholarships exist for outdoor education and leadership?

Professional outdoor schools like NOLS and Outward Bound offer need-based scholarships. Crucially, they often accept AmeriCorps Education Awards and 529 College Savings Plans for gap year courses. Regional clubs like The Mountaineers utilize “Sliding Scale” payment models for their climbing classes to reduce financial stigma.

Specific funds like the AMGA BIPOC Scholarship cover guide training fees to increase diversity among professional guides. NOLS financial aid resources confirm that these tools are available but often underutilized. Securing funding is a skill in itself, similar to the planning required for trek budgeting.

How Can We Practice Effective Allyship on the Trail?

Safety and harassment remain real concerns for many. True inclusion requires us to rethink our ethical frameworks and behavioral protocols on the trail.

What are the “5Ds” of bystander intervention in the outdoors?

Developed by the organization Right To Be, the 5Ds provide a structured way to intervene in harassment without escalating danger: Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, Direct. “Distract” creates a subtle diversion, like asking the harasser for directions to break the tension. “Delegate” involves finding a Ranger or trip leader to assist.

Incidents like the targeting of Christian Cooper in Central Park highlighted the need for these skills. “Direct” intervention should only be used if safe, while “Documenting” creates a record for the victim. Perhaps most importantly, “Delay” involves checking in with the person after the incident to validate their experience. The Right To Be bystander intervention guide is an essential resource. Mastering these interpersonal skills is as vital as the emotional regulation discussed in our guide to trail psychology.

How can we decolonize “Leave No Trace” principles?

Standard Leave No Trace (LNT) ethics often enforce a “museum” view of nature where humans are separate from the land. This can conflict with Indigenous practices of foraging and cultural burning. A more inclusive approach is “Right Relations,” which acknowledges that humans can have a regenerative impact on the land.

For example, “Leave What You Find” should be nuanced to respect treaty rights that allow Indigenous gathering of medicines. While the National Park Service hiking etiquette provides a baseline, we must go further. We need to move from a rulebook of avoidance to an ethic of connection, often described as re-contextualized Leave No Trace, as explored in our advanced LNT gear and ethics guide.

What does inclusive trail etiquette look like in practice?

Adhering to standard yielding rules (Uphill has right of way; Wheels yield to Heels) creates predictability. This is vital for marginalized hikers who may already feel hyper-vigilant. Allies must also avoid microaggressions, such as expressing surprise at a BIPOC person’s presence or policing the volume of different cultural groups. We must also understand the exhaustion of code switching—adjusting one’s behavior to fit into white-dominant spaces—and work to make the trail a place where that isn’t necessary.

Rejection of the “speed hierarchy” is also key. Hikers moving slowly have an equal right to the trail. When yielding to horses, always step to the downhill side to avoid appearing predatory to the animal. Meaningful actions, like those outlined in the Native Governance Center guide to land acknowledgments, combined with everyday manners found in global hut etiquette, build a culture of respect.

Pro-Tip: A simple “hello” is a safety tool. It acknowledges presence and breaks the anonymity that can lead to hostility.

Final Thoughts

The Nature Gap is not an accident; it is a structural issue driven by historical policies that have left millions without easy access to the outdoors. However, a powerful network of organizations—from Outdoor Afro to Disabled Hikers—is actively dismantling these barriers.

As an individual hiker action plan, we drive change by utilizing bystander intervention, decolonizing our view of stewardship, and supporting infrastructure like transit-to-trails. We can also look to The Outdoorist Oath, founded by Teresa Baker, Pattie Gonia, and José González, for a blueprint on how to support the planet, inclusion, and adventure simultaneously. Visit the Native Land Digital map to identify the traditional stewards of your favorite trail, and consider donating the cost of a tank of gas to one of the organizations listed above.

Risk Disclaimer: Hiking, trekking, backpacking, and all related outdoor activities involve inherent risks which may result in serious injury, illness, or death. The information provided on The Hiking Tribe is for educational and informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, information on trails, gear, techniques, and safety is not a substitute for your own best judgment and thorough preparation. Trail conditions, weather, and other environmental factors change rapidly and may differ from what is described on this site. Always check with official sources like park services for the most current alerts and conditions. Never undertake a hike beyond your abilities and always be prepared for the unexpected. By using this website, you agree that you are solely responsible for your own safety. Any reliance you place on our content is strictly at your own risk, and you assume all liability for your actions and decisions in the outdoors. The Hiking Tribe and its authors will not be held liable for any injury, damage, or loss sustained in connection with the use of the information herein.

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