Welcome to the Outdoor Equity Coalition
The Outdoor Equity Coalition of Washington is a group of passionate and committed individuals who want to make a difference in the outdoor recreation sector.
We believe that everyone should have access to the benefits of nature and the opportunities for personal growth and social connection that it provides.
Our vision is to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive outdoor recreation community that reflects the rich diversity of our state and nation.
**The nature gap** is a term that describes the unequal distribution of nature& benefits—and the effects of its destruction and decline—by race, income, and age in America.
According to a report by the Center for American Progress, people of color, families with children, and low-income communities are most likely to be deprived of the benefits that nature provides, such as clean air, clean water, public parks, beaches, biodiversity, and open spaces.
The report also found that these same communities are more likely to live in places with fewer natural resources, more environmental hazards, less public investment, and less political representation. The nature gap is a result of historical racial discrimination, systemic racism, cultural differences, socioeconomic barriers, and lack of access and inclusion in the outdoor recreation sector.
We welcome anyone who shares our values and vision to join us in our efforts to create a more unified and inclusive outdoor recreation community.
Our mission is to:
Reduce, Support, Amplify, Collaborate, Advocate.
- Reduce the nature gap by increasing the participation and representation of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities in outdoor recreation activities and leadership roles.
- Support small outdoor recreation businesses that serve and employ BIPOC and other marginalized communities and help them thrive in a competitive and changing market.
- Amplify the voices and stories of marginalized communities in the outdoor recreation sector and celebrate their contributions and achievements.
- Collaborate with outdoor recreation agencies at all levels to ensure compliance with DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) goals and objectives, and to share best practices and innovative solutions.
- Advocate for legislative policies that promote environmental justice, climate action, land conservation, and outdoor recreation for all.
Some examples of marginalized communities are people of color, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, low-income people, immigrants and refugees, and indigenous people.
Who can Join?
We welcome anyone who shares our values and vision to join us in our efforts to create a more unified and inclusive outdoor recreation community. Some examples of marginalized communities are (BIPOC) people of color, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, low-income people, immigrants and refugees, and indigenous people.