The following list provides information on a wide variety of organizations, events, and other resources aimed at including, supporting, and welcoming marginalized or minority groups into the birding community or communities focused on similar outdoor activities. This list is by no means complete. If you have suggestions for resources to add to this list, please let me know and we will build this list together.
Amplify the Future – Seeks to “amplify opportunities for equity to the historically excluded in conservation, STEAM, and birding.” This organization oversees the Black & Latinx Birders Scholarship which provides funds to “Black birders or Brown birders that lives in the United States or Puerto Rico and identify as Black, African-American, and/or Latinx/e/a/o; and who are also an undergraduate student studying in STEM.”
Birdability – Is an organization that, “through education, outreach and advocacy, Birdability works to ensure the birding community and the outdoors are welcoming, inclusive, safe and accessible for everybody. We focus on people with mobility challenges, blindness or low vision, chronic illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental illness, and those who are neurodivergent, deaf or hard of hearing or who have other health concerns. In addition to current birders, we strive to introduce birding to people with disabilities and other health concerns who are not yet birders so they too can experience the joys of birding.” This organization also puts on Birdability Week each year in early October.
Birding For All – This organization is “a national voluntary organization seeking to improve access for people with disabilities to reserves, facilities and services for birding.”
Black AF in STEM Collective – This organization “seeks to support, uplift, and amplify Black STEM professionals in natural resources and the environment through professional development, career connection, and community engagement.” This organization puts Black Birders Week together at the end of May each year.
Black Girls Trekkin’ – This is a group for women of color who choose to opt outside. Through their passion, this organization is inspiring and empowering black women to spend time outdoors, appreciate nature, and protect it. They are building a community that will show the world that women of color are a strong and present force in the outdoors. Join they on one of their Los Angeles group events as they hike, climb, run, and embrace the challenges that the outdoors has to offer.
Black People Who Hike – This organization has the mission to “empower, educate and reengage black people to the outdoors through wellness campaigns, health advocacy and community based activities including hiking, camping, kayaking, rock climbing and yoga.”
Black Outside, Inc – This organization has one simple mission: Reconnect Black/African-American youth to the outdoors through culturally relevant outdoor experiences. With the knowledge that only 1% of Texas state park participants identify as Black/African-American, Black Outside, Inc was founded with the mission of reconnecting Black/African-American youth to the outdoors. They craft programming that not only connects students with history in the outdoors but inspires a new generation of outdoor participants.
Camp Founder Girls – This organization runs and operates America’s first summer overnight camp for black girls: Camp Founder Girls which began in San Antonio, TX. Today Camp Founder Girls carries on the proud legacy of Founder Girls past by providing an immersive week-long overnight camp centered on bravery, confidence, creativity, and strength.
Edge Outdoors – This group is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing and countering the invisibility of Black, Indigenous, Women of Color in snow sports.
Field Inclusive – This organization “amplifies and supports marginalized and historically excluded individuals who professionally work outdoors in any natural resources field. We strive to offer tangible and actionable improvements in field research issues related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). In line with the goals of this organization, Field Inclusive also seeks to provide research scholarships and other financial assistance for marginalized and historically excluded Field Researchers.”
Freedom Birders – This is a project organized by Amplify the Future (see above) that “seeks to change the culture of bird watching in the United States by developing a racial justice curriculum and bird education project resourced by the lessons and inspiration of the Civil Rights Movement, the Freedom Riders, the Black Lives Matter Movement, the 1619 Project, and Black Birders Week 2020.”
Hispanic Access Foundation – This organization “connects Latinos and others with partners and opportunities to improve lives and create an equitable society. One day, every Latino individual in America will enjoy good physical health and a healthy natural environment, a high-quality education, economic success and civic engagement in their community with the sum of improving the future of America.” It also organizes Latino Conservation Week in July each year.
Latino Outdoors – This organization seeks to “inspire, connect, and engage Latino communities in the outdoors and embrace cultura y familia as part of the outdoor narrative, ensuring our history, heritage, and leadership are valued and represented.”
Let’s Go Birding Together – This is a series of bird walks and other event held in June in honor of Pride Month organized by the National Audubon Society which states that “walks are for everyone who loves birds and the outdoors. We welcome those who identify as LGBTQ, allies, families, and anyone who wants to enjoy an outdoor experience that is inclusive.”
Justice Outside – This organization “advances racial justice and equity in the outdoor and environmental movement. We shift resources to, build power with, and center the voices and leadership of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color because the health of current and future generations demands it.”
Outdoor Afro – This organization “has become the nation’s leading, cutting edge network that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. We are a national not for profit organization with leadership networks around the country. With more than 100 leaders in 56 cities around the country, we connect thousands of people to nature experiences, who are changing the face of conservation.”
Soul Trak Outdoors –This is a Washington D.C. based nonprofit organization that “connects communities of color to outdoor spaces while also building a coalition of diverse outdoor leaders. We run a variety of programming to serve hands-on, experiential programming.”
Unlikely Hikers – Is an Instagram community, a nationwide hiking group and a podcast that seeks to create a “diverse, anti-racist, body-liberating outdoor community featuring the underrepresented outdoorsperson.”
Wild Diversity – This is a non-profit organization based in Oregon that “aims to help create a personal connection to the outdoors for Black, Indigenous, all People of Color (BIPOC) & the LGBTQ2S+ communities, through outdoor adventures and education.”
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