The legacy and power of Black leadership in the outdoors

Black leadership is, and always has been, a powerful force in the environmental, climate justice, and nature connection movements. This leadership takes many forms, from the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, formed in 1995 to end discriminatory wastewater treatment practices in West Atlanta – to changemakers like Rue Mapp, who founded Outdoor Afro to celebrate Black leadership in nature and change the face of conservation.

While systemic racism has kept the stories of Black naturalists, ecologists, conservationists and more from receiving the recognition they deserve, there are ways to learn about and celebrate their contributions throughout the year. Just a few include the National Park Service, which preserves and interprets important sites that honor Black history, and Audubon, which tells the story of Harriet Tubman as an “unsung naturalist.” The famed Underground Railroad conductor used her deep knowledge of forests, waterways and wildlife to guide enslaved people to freedom, even using bird calls to communicate.

In our February issues of Finding Nature News, we’ll be highlighting Black leaders and organizations who are breaking down historic barriers to nature – and creating a more inclusive outdoors. We’ve featured some of them in Finding Nature News over the past year, from Aurelia Casey, who connects Brooklyn kids to nature through her Inner City Ranger program, to Ebony Horsewomen, who bring the joy of horseback riding and healing power of equine therapy to youth. In Saint Paul, Minnesota, Mayor Melvin Carter leads his city with “an unapologetic equity agenda,” resulting in creative programs that have been connecting communities of color to nature throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. And the visionaries at Nappy Studios are improving representation in the outdoors, one photo at a time.

Last year at this time, we highlighted a group of Black leaders who are also changing policies, programs and approaches to nature connection to ensure equitable access to outdoor experiences. In this resource, you can revisit speeches given by Children & Nature Network board member Kim Moore Bailey and Founder’s Council member Dr. Gail Christoper – and find inspiring columns from CJ Goulding, Nkrumah Frazier, and more. You’ll find stories about people like Eboni Preston, who is connecting diverse youth to green careers through the Atlanta-based Greening Youth Foundation. 

And in an inspiring column, award-winning journalist Tonyaa Weathersbee highlights the importance of early nature connection – and more organizations working to create equitable access to nature in Atlanta, where we hosted the Inside-Out International Conference in May 2022.

We hope you’ll take a few minutes to learn more about the leaders recognized above, and watch for more stories of Black leadership in the children and nature movement throughout the year.

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