Creating Safe Spaces - Third Roundtable

Creating Safe Spaces

Third Roundtable

Recorded February 2, 2021

Moderated by Dr. Mamie Parker and Dianne Dillon-Ridgley, and featuring Taishya Adams (Outdoor Afro), Earyn McGee (University of Arizona), Scott Gilmore (Denver Parks and Recreation), Grace Anderson (Consultant), Michelle Race (Black Girls Trekkin’)

On December 8, the National Wildlife Federation launched the first of a series of roundtables in our Creating Safe Spaces initiative to shed light on the challenges that Black people face in safely accessing and enjoying the outdoors in partnership with Outdoor Afro, Black AF in STEM, Patagonia, and The Links, Inc. Over 1,700 individuals registered and joined us to hear from Black pioneers that have played an active role in addressing barriers. We continued these important discussions on January 12. In addition to learning about challenges, we also discussed potential solutions that could be championed to address issues raised.

The issues raised and recommendations from our expert panelists will guide the Federation’s long-term efforts to address institutional and systemic barriers through programmatic and policy initiatives. Upon completing the roundtable series, we will be hosting a national townhall in April and incorporating lessons learned in our policy advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. By addressing the unique challenges and barriers that Black people face when safely accessing and enjoying the outdoors, we seek to build a framework to address the challenges different identity groups face through our multi-year Creating Safe Spaces initiative.

Thank you for your support of National Wildlife Federation’s mission to unite all Americans in ensuring wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world. Learn more about how our commitment to equity and justice are a core part of our conservation mission.