Black History Month: Amplifying Black Voices in Outdoor Education, Conservation & Environmental Justice
At Tremont, we invite people to discover the wonder of the outdoors. We help people see outdoor spaces as places of healing and connection with nature and each other, and we know these experiences have essential benefits to our mental and physical well-being. We want all people to have access to and feel welcome in these outdoor spaces – everyone deserves to have the opportunity to connect with nature.
It’s important to recognize that in our country’s history, Black people and people of color have been excluded from conversations about nature and the environment, despite the fact that they have long been environmental activists, conservationists, and naturalists. Major contributions from the Black community have been disregarded and marginalized, and environmental education continues to be a predominantly white space.
As a leader in experiential environmental education, it’s important for Tremont to acknowledge these disparities. As we work to center equity in our programs and our organization, our hope is that by highlighting Black history and Black-led organizations, we can raise awareness of the diversity of voices working toward preserving our natural world.
We’re celebrating Black History Month this year by highlighting the achievements of Black individuals who have made significant contributions to the environment, conservation, and outdoor education fields. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to join us in learning about and celebrating these inspiring individuals.
Cover image features Rodney Stotts (photo by Greg Kahn), Rahawa Haile (selfie courtesy of she-explores.com), Hazel Johnson (courtesy of Medium), Rue Mapp (photo by Bethanie Hines), Charles Young (courtesy of National Park Service), and Corina Newsome (photo by Katherine Arntzen).
This post was originally published in February 2023, but has been updated with additional resources.
