Nature knows no color line images
Having the proper attire for snow or mountain climate, to simply having a vehicle that can get you into the forest or mountains, are barriers for many people of color (and others) to getting into mountain sports. Money is a major concern for diverse communities to get in the outdoors, too. Pattie Gonia and Ryan celebrate at the Javelina-Jundred 100-miler. Outdoors experiences can be had everywhere-not only in national parks, which are often 2- to 5-hour car or train rides from metropolitan areas where diverse communities typically reside. We can see so much beauty simply from the birds outside the window,” for example, or even in the small grass park within a city. Pattie said that we can help others “redefine what outdoor experiences are, because we know we can’t get away all the time to be surrounded by a mountainous landscape. Oftentimes, the ‘outdoors’ is a man climbing a mountain, but that is a very narrow perspective. One key to inclusive in the outdoors is to reframe what it means to be in outdoors and what it means to experience it. Reframing what it means to be in the outdoors Until we can help marginalized communities realize that the outdoors is for them-and that it’s accessible too-all of humanity’s ecosystem cannot truly embrace what the outdoors has to offer. When I spoke to environmental US-based LGBTQ advocate Pattie Gonia about the importance of diversity, they say that “humanity is an ecosystem, and we need to support each other if we want it to survive.” And that’s all people-people of color, women, people with disabilities, and more. Focusing on diversity - what can we do about it? Ryan and his partner connect before the race kicks off. It makes sense why our outdoor spaces have become increasingly homogenous given our history and systemic problems in the past and present. Also, for women, the outdoors is often perceived (and unfortunately is) as a place where men can take advantage of them. LGBTQ communities have gathered in cities, farther away from the outdoors, to escape prejudices and to find community. slavery), it is no wonder why people of color perhaps do not feel safe to travel outdoors, let alone be by themselves outdoors. Based on the past treatment and lack of inclusion of people of color (i.e. In the United States, while people of color make up 40 % of the nation’s population, 70 % of visitors of National Parks and Forests are white, according to the National Health Foundation. In the United Kingdom, for example, racial minorities represent only about 1 % of visitors to national parks. Nature is an integral part of all human experience, but a major gap today is that diverse communities across the world do not feel included in the outdoor spaces, let alone having access to these spaces. We feel connected to the tree, the mountains. The outdoor diversity problemįor outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers, the outdoors provides a sense of belonging. However, when I look at the people who are most often outdoors and adventuring in nature, they seem to be the least diverse and more binary compared to nature’s diversity standards, as mentioned above. The outdoors teaches us that diversity is necessary for survival-to thrive. I believe we can all agree that nature’s ecosystems thrive because of its inter-dependences across diverse plants, animals, and climates.
![nature knows no color line images nature knows no color line images](https://get.pxhere.com/photo/hand-water-nature-person-light-girl-woman-photography-sunlight-morning-love-portrait-reflection-color-romance-yellow-photograph-beauty-image-magic-organ-emotion-magician-interaction-water-courses-sorceress-sense-609090.jpg)
The existence of these different species and ecosystems tells us that the outdoors is inherently diverse-essentially diverse. We all love being in the outdoors-with its multi-colored trees and endless plant and animal species-all thriving in uniquely different yet interconnected ecosystems. Ryan having a blast at the Javelina-Jundred 100-miler in Arizona. Read on for Ryan’s sage advice on diversity and how we can all contribute to a more open minded, welcoming outdoors.
![nature knows no color line images nature knows no color line images](https://www.moorishmack.org/uploads/1/2/4/9/124977120/variations-of-moor-nature-knows-no-color-line_orig.png)
It’s not going to change by itself only with awareness, validation and deliberate action can it be reversed. Suunto athlete, ultra-runner and diversity champion Ryan Montgomery is set on waking up the outdoor scene to its ongoing failure to be an accessible and welcoming place to people from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds. Ryan Montgomery explains how we can make the outdoors more diverse and welcoming.