Diverse NPS: Latino Outdoors

Diverse NPS►

I am part of a coalition of fellow park enthusiasts dedicated to promoting diversity and equity in our public lands. We’ve been collaborating on posts since mid 2020.

Each month, our group spotlights a relevant organization. These organizations are working to bridge the gap between outdoor spaces and underrepresented communities. Past features include:

It’s the start of a new month and we’re continuing our ongoing community effort to showcase organizations that promote social justice, diversity and more inclusive access to public lands and nature. During the month of January, we are highlighting the work of Latino Outdoors.

About Latino Outdoors►

Latino Outdoors is a unique, Latinx-led organization working in support of a national community of leaders in outdoor recreation, conservation and environmental education. As part of this work, they focus on expanding and amplifying the Latinx experience in the outdoors. They provide leadership, mentorship, and professional opportunities and serve as a platform for sharing oft-overlooked cultural connections and narratives that will bolster the collective outdoor movement. Latino Outdoors is a space for the community to be present, share our voices, and showcase how an ethic of conservation and roots in nature have been ingrained in la cultura Latina for generations.

Latino Outdoors strives to make the outdoors a safe and welcoming place for all people, regardless of race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, ability, language, and nationality. This extends beyond their outdoor programming to their core values as an organization, especially one that understands the history and power of public policy and legislation in protecting public lands and landscapes that we enjoy today, but that many times came at the expense of communities that were marginalized and displaced. Latino Outdoors welcomes the full spectrum of people and stands in solidarity with all individuals, organizations, and societies that uphold this value.

Started in 2013 by José González as an online blog and networking platform for members of Latinx communities interested in outdoor recreation, environmental education, and/or conservation José shared his ideas with participants in this new network, and together they began to grow the community, while also building the foundation for Latino Outdoors as an organization. Since 2014, Latino Outdoors has been providing outdoor experiences to families and youth through its Vamos Outdoor program, growing from a California-based organization to a national movement powered by volunteers.