Trading in our Kilometers for Justice: Inclusion in the Great Outdoors – Fundraiser for Justice Outside

Well hello there! For those of you who don’t know, we just hiked the South Island of the Te Araroa trail. This hike has been quite the challenge for us! The incredible sights we’ve seen and new friendships made this wild trek worthwhile. Along the way, we met people who were raising funds for causes that are near and dear to them. During the excruciating parts of the trail, Sarah got to thinking that these challenges could go toward something meaningful aside from our personal gain (and pain!). This journey could also help raise funds and awareness for organizations that are making a difference in the outdoors and social justice.

This brings us to our fundraiser and notable cause – we plan to raise $1,312 for Justice Outside. Why such a specific number one may ask? It is roughly the distance of the TA in kilometers of the South Island, and we hope to exceed our goal!

Please click on the button below to visit the fundraiser page and invest in a more equitable and just future outdoors. No amount is too small and every little bit will help us reach our goal. More importantly, your contribution will assist Justice Outside to strengthen their impact and mission to ensure inclusion and belonging for all in the great outdoors.

Click here to donate!

Justice Outside envisions “a just world where Black, Indigenous, and Communities of Color experience safety, health, and abundant joy through meaningful relationships with one another and the outdoors.” The work they do ensures that more BIPOC have higher levels of engagement, participation, and leadership opportunities in the outdoors. The organization has six programs that collectively provide “established and aspiring outdoor professionals with the skills necessary to transform the environmental field into a more equitable and culturally relevant sector.” You can check out their 2022 Impact Report here (as you’ll find out, they continue to crush it!).

Why

The natural world is a place for discovery and connection; connecting to the land leads to discovery, embodiment, and expands our relationship with nature. Green spaces and simply being or moving our bodies outside are also therapeutic. The nourishment of the outdoors and access to parks have been purposefully deprived from people of color for centuries. The video below delves into how systemic racism segregated cities in America and today’s consequences such as less green space and its protective factors among marginalized communities.

Even among people of color who have better access to the outdoors still face discrimination and exclusion. Organizations like Justice Outside are committed to making the outdoors an inclusive and welcoming environment that is accessible to all (which is nature’s intent after all). When we orient our actions toward justice and work collectively, we transform the outdoors to foster belonging, regardless of one’s identity.

Happy Trails

The pure wonder that nature provides is a right for all and should be accessible to everyone regardless of race, income, and gender. Exploring the outdoors free of barriers shapes our relationship with the natural world and within ourselves; we believe that this is a sacred right for everyone. While barriers still exist today among people of color, it does not mean that they have to persist for decades to come. To dismantle barriers and help make this dream become a reality, we hope that you consider donating to Justice Outside. We appreciate your commitment to extending the joys of what this beautiful world has to offer, thank you 🙂

Click here to donate!