The Wilderness Society launches Nature Awaits campaign to encourage more funding for outdoor access

WASHINGTON D.C. [Sept. 17, 2024] — The Wilderness Society today launched a campaign to encourage state and federal lawmakers to increase funding to local organizations across the country working to get more people outside.

Access to nature in the United States is not equal.

Barriers to spending time outdoors include things like fees, lack of transportation, expensive gear, feeling included and safe, and having the knowledge and confidence to participate in outdoor recreation. These barriers disproportionately affect people of color and low-income communities. Studies have shown that low-income neighborhoods of color are three times more likely to live in nature-deprived areas than white neighborhoods. This is often referred to as the “nature gap.”

Local organizations across the country are working to bridge this divide. California, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Maryland and Washington already have state outdoor equity funds, while Maine and North Carolina have grant programs funded with private dollars.

In each state, the demand for support exceeds the available funding. That is why The Wilderness Society, in partnership with local coalitions, are advocating for increased state funding, both on November’s ballot and during upcoming state legislative sessions. In addition, The Wilderness Society, in partnership with the Outdoor F.U.T.U.R.E. Initiative, is advocating for the creation of a national foundation to privately fundraise in support of these state-based outdoor equity funding programs.

"There are serious disparities in accessing nature based on economic and racial divides,” said Gabriel Otero, director of equitable funding policy at The Wilderness Society. “Local organizations across the country are doing the hard work of breaking down those barriers, but they need additional resources. Some states have recognized the societal benefits of helping residents access the outdoors by establishing outdoor equity grant programs, but we need every state to make that commitment to the health and well-being of all its residents.”

The effect that outdoor equity grant programs have on local organizations is significant. Here are several organizations in different states that shared how this funding is impacting people on-the-ground.

• In Colorado, Spirit of the Sun used the grant to support their Indigenous Toddlers and Teachings Program, a once-a-month gathering where Indigenous kids are taught about their connection to the natural world and their cultural heritage.
• In North Carolina, a grant helped Latinos Aventurous train its core leaders in Wilderness First Aid so they could more confidently take out a growing number of its members camping and hiking.
• In Washington, Unleash the Brilliance, an organization that focuses on addressing the school-to-prison pipeline, used its grant to expose more youth to the wonders of nature and stewardship.
• In New Mexico, Adelante Development Center and Global Opportunities (GO) Unlimited used inclusive educational fishing and watershed education, using adaptive drift boat technology to expand outdoor opportunities for disabled, disadvantaged and low-income children.

A national fund holds the promise of even greater impact in advancing outdoor equity for all. The Outdoor F.U.T.U.R.E. Initiative is leading the charge to create a national outdoor opportunity fund that helps all young people, no matter where they live, experience the great outdoors. Congress must approve the creation of a foundation, which would then privately fundraise to support both state outdoor equity grant programs and local organizations in every state.

The needs everywhere are great, and the existing funding is not sufficient. Nature awaits us all – let’s ensure everyone can answer the call. For more information, visit wilderness.org/nature-awaits.