Arizona State Parks’ new partnership promotes diversity in outdoor rec
Arizona State Parks and Trails and Black Folks Camp Too have come together to break down long-standing barriers in outdoor recreation.
In a groundbreaking move to make outdoor recreation more inclusive, Arizona State Parks and Trails has launched a new partnership with Black Folks Camp Too, marking a significant step toward breaking down long-standing barriers in outdoor participation.
This initiative comes at a crucial time, as recent data shows a stark disparity in outdoor recreation demographics. For instance, white participants make up 71% of outdoor enthusiasts despite representing only 59% of the total population.
Breaking barriers in outdoor recreation
The partnership centers on implementing the Unity Blaze Return on Inclusion training program, a comprehensive curriculum now mandatory for all Arizona State Parks and Trails staff. This initiative aims to create more welcoming and accessible outdoor experiences across the state’s 33 parks.
Earl B. Hunter, Jr., founder and president of Black Folks Camp Too, emphasizes the significance of this collaboration: “Our partnership is sincere, meaningful, measurable, and sustainable as we continue to increase Unity in the Outdoor Community and BEYOND through education and activations. Together, we are changing the world one campfire at a time!”
Understanding the challenges
Hunter identifies three primary obstacles that have historically limited diversity in outdoor recreation:
- Generational fear of the outdoors among people of color
- Lack of feeling welcomed or invited
- Limited exposure and knowledge about where to begin
Comprehensive training approach
The Unity Blaze training program addresses these challenges through a curriculum that covers:
- Historical context of outdoor recreation barriers
- Unconscious bias recognition and management
- Creating inclusive environments
- Developing community-focused programs and services
Bob Broscheid, executive director of Arizona State Parks and Trails, underscores the initiative’s importance: “We believe that the transformative power of the outdoors should be accessible to any and everyone. We want future generations, of every type of person, to be able to experience the outdoors.”
Future implications
The Outdoor Foundation’s research suggests that without demographic changes in outdoor participation, overall engagement could drop from 54% to 40% by 2060. This decline could impact both the industry’s economic health and long-term environmental conservation efforts.
Arizona State Parks and Trails manages over 64,000 acres across more than 30 parks. It operates without state tax funding, relying instead on visitor fees for maintenance and operations. For more information about park locations and programs, visit AZStateParks.com.
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