5 Incredible Non-Profits Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in the Outdoors
It's summertime, so many of us spend more time outdoors. And if you’re like our team at Atlas Studio, you find the thrill of adventure in the great outdoors.
There’s nothing like getting away from it all, taking in some fresh air, and enjoying all that nature has to offer.
But for too long, the outdoors have been seen as an exclusive space – leaving individuals and groups who don't fit the stereotype of an "outdoorsy" person feeling unwelcome. From gender to race and socioeconomic access, many feel unable to enjoy the same opportunities across our beautiful state and beyond.
This is slowly starting to change as organizations around the country are working to break down barriers and make the outdoors more inclusive for everyone. Whether facing physical, economic or societal barriers, these five non-profits are working hard to ensure that everyone can enjoy the outdoors.
1. Blackpackers
Blackpackers is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) organization that provides gear, outdoor excursions, and outdoor education for free or at subsidized cost to those who are underserved and economically vulnerable.
Additionally, Blackpackers connects participants with unique opportunities that allow them to gain experience in a variety of outdoor spaces – from extreme sports to survival skills and more.
Backpacker’s mission is two-fold: to provide gear, outdoor excursions, and outdoor education to underserved and economically vulnerable people. Plus, they work to provide their member with access to resources and training that help them rise above the obstacles in their path – both indoors and out.
Through their unique mission, Blackpackers creates economic equity in outdoor recreation. They’re committed to making the outdoors accessible to everyone, regardless of race or economic background. Blackpackers offers a variety of gear rental packages for camping, hiking, backpacking, and more.
They also offer free or discounted rates for many outdoor excursions, including day hikes, backpacking trips, fishing excursions, and much more.
2. Unlikely Hikers
Hiking is for everyone! That's the message that Unlikely Hikers is sending loud and clear. This inclusive, body-liberating outdoor community comprises people who are often underrepresented in the outdoors world.
Everyone is welcome at Unlikely Hikers – BIPOC, queer, trans or non-binary, disabled, neurodivergent, and beyond! Unlikely Hikers is a safe space for anyone and everyone who wants to explore the great outdoors and grow in a safe and inclusive community.
This vibrant community focuses on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) efforts that make the outdoors accessible for all. In a world that often tells us we don't belong in nature, Unlikely Hikers is a powerful reminder that the outdoors is for everyone.
3. Native Women's Wilderness
Few individuals have a connection to the great outdoors as Indigenous and Native peoples. For Native Women's Wilderness (NWW), their goal is to strengthen that connection by working with Indigenous women and girls.
Native Women's Wilderness is on a mission to inspire and raise the voices of Native Women in the Outdoor Realm. They believe every woman should have the opportunity to explore and enjoy the outdoors and is dedicated to providing resources and education to help make that possible.
But their mission doesn't stop at awareness. NWW seeks to promote women of color in outdoor advertising campaigns, encouraging the celebration of exploration and providing education about Ancestral Lands and their People.
Plus, their focus on encouraging a healthy lifestyle within the Wilderness creates a more inclusive and empowering outdoor environment for all women.
4. Grow Cycling
Across the US, cycling has grown from a niche activity to a widely popular mode of transportation. However, this growth has not been evenly distributed. Studies have shown that many people are still unable to access the benefits of bicycling due to socioeconomic and city planning barriers.
Grow Cycling is working to change that. Its mission is to increase access to bicycling and its related benefits to create healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable communities.
Grow Cycling does this by creating four pathways to increased awareness and engagement in the sport:
Community
Opportunity
Access
Education
Grow Cycling utilizes a team of experienced professionals to create customized programs for each community they work with. This allows them to address the unique needs and barriers of that particular area. Plus, their focus on diversity and inclusion programs allows them to positively impact a wide range of communities.
5. Latino Outdoors
The LatinX community is the fastest growing demographic in the US, yet they remain largely underrepresented in the outdoor world. Latino Outdoors is working to change that by promoting Latinx leadership and visibility in the outdoors.
Latino Outdoors is built on a mission of somos comunidad – a focus on community and opportunity for all. They believe that everyone should have the chance to enjoy and explore the outdoors, regardless of their background or identity.
Latino Outdoors accomplishes this by offering outdoor programming and events that are accessible and culturally relevant. They also provide training and resources for Latinx individuals who want to become leaders in the outdoor industry.
All are welcome to join the Latino Outdoors community, regardless of language or country of origin. With a shared love of the outdoors, Latino Outdoors is building a more diverse and inclusive community for everyone.
Join Atlas Studio in Making The Outdoors More Accessible For Everyone
Atlas Studio is proud to support the efforts of these five incredible organizations. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, and we are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do.
As an agency bringing awareness to nonprofits focused on improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoors, we encourage you to learn more about these organizations and their essential work.
You can also join us in supporting their efforts by donating or sharing their story with your community. Together, we can make the outdoors a more inclusive place for everyone!
Want to learn more about how to get involved in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoors? Contact our team today, and reach out to any and all of the organizations above to learn more about their work.
