Creating Equitable Access to Nature

Equitable access to nature is a very important issue here at Nature and Human Health Utah. In fact, our second-annual symposium this month will largely focus on it. We know we need clear air, abundant trees, clean water, parks in which to play, and ecologically intact areas to enter into for our well being. But we also know that not everyone has access to these resources in the same measure. So what does equitable access mean, and where does it fall short?

While at first glance it might seem like nature, perhaps more than anything else, is freely available to everyone equally, this is far from reality. Though public parks are free to enter and anyone can at least theoretically start walking from a trailhead, there is a lot more to consider. The systemic reasons why disparities exist and possible solutions to the problems at hand amount to entire fields of study and would require much more than a short blog post to encapsulate, but this month leading up to our symposium, we want to take just a brief look at access in nature.

Race and Nature Access

There is a long history of racial violence and disparity when it comes to access to parks and natural spaces in America, the impact of which is still abundantly evident today. Violence, displacement, segregation, discriminatory zoning practices, and unequitable funding for nature resources, among many other factors, all contribute to the ongoing problem. Even when access is available, utilization of nature resources among people of color remains lower than white people due to historical issues leading to cultural norms, as well as continued risks of intimidation, discrimination, and violence. Additionally, people of color and their perspectives have tended to be excluded from environmental and conservation movements. To dive deeper, Diversify Outdoors, founded by Danielle Williams of Melanin Base Camp, has compiled a comprehensive resource list full of organizations and media to learn more and advocate for change.

Economic Status and Nature Access

Economic segregation also has a long history in the United States, and just like people of color, those of lower economic status are more likely to live near environmental hazards and less likely to live in neighborhoods where parks and natural areas are nearby. They are also less likely to own a car that might transport them to such resources, and less likely to have the kind of free time necessary to get outdoors for reasons outside of work. Learn more here. 

LGBTQIA+ and Nature Access

Another group with lowered access in the outdoors is the LGBTQIA+ community. Lack of representation and cultural messaging that nature isn’t “for them,” amid all-too-real safety concerns of gender non-comforming individuals entering into some isolated areas all contribute to the issue. Nikki Smith, a professional climber and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community in the outdoors, will be the keynote speaker at this month’s symposium, more information on how to attend below! 

Disability and Nature Access

There are also many physical barriers which impact accessibility to nature for disabled communities. Parks and natural areas often do not keep the wide array of physical human needs into account when designing infrastructure and allocating funds. Beyond the physical, the needs of disabled persons for greater access such as infrastructure and technological assistance, come against discriminatory conservationist ideals that too often fall into ableism. Add all of this to a culture in which disabled persons aren’t expected to engage in the outdoors and may face stigma when they do, and the picture of why increasing access for disabled persons in the outdoors has such a long way to go. 

Women and Nature Access

Women have been found to be in contact with nature less often than men. Common reasons cited include fear around safety in natural environments, particularly isolated environments, as well as systemically reinforced social burdens that leave women with less leisure time than their male counterparts. Considering the above, women of color, women of low economic status, women who are part of the LGBTQIA community, women who have a disability, women with children (especially single parents), or women at other intersections of inequality have even more barriers to contend with.

Children and Nature Access

Children need time in nature for healthy development across several measures, and yet, families of all kinds with children tend to have lower access to nature, especially low income families with children and families of color with children. You can learn more about these issues from the Cities Connecting Children to Nature initiative (CCCN) here. 

These obstacles are clearly a lot to tackle, and there are so many more unnamed here. So what ideas are out there for getting to work? Some put forth by the Center for American Progress include protecting 30% of land and ocean from development by the year 2030, increasing community outreach and engagement and letting communities lead, extending child outreach and education programs, focusing on establishing and protecting “nearby nature” (natural areas close to or within residential areas) and making them inclusive, expanding tribal outreach, and increasing funding for parks and those programs working to increase access. 

Other ideas include increasing mass public transit to more distant natural areas and recreation opportunities, and reducing economic barriers to engaging in outdoor recreation activities. As always, it’s also important to be informed, active, and to vote in ways that take these issues into consideration. Legislation in recent years has made an impact, such as the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), which will fund critical maintenance, infrastructure, and features in national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, recreation areas, and Tribal schools, benefiting indigenous communities and improving usability within parks for disabled persons. 

Interested to learn more and connect with people working toward a more equitable future at the intersection of nature and health? Join us at our second-annual symposium on Tuesday, October 22nd from 9am-3:30pm at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center (1355 West 3100 South, West Valley City)! Keynote speaker Nikki Smith is a seasoned professional climber, artist, writer, photographer, and more. She’s also an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and a more inclusive and diverse outdoor environment. In addition to hearing from her, attendees will see presentations from some of the 2024 NHH pilot grand recipients on their groundbreaking work, and enjoy a guided nature walk along the Jordan River Trail and a tour of Tracy Aviary’s Jordan River Nature Center—all with good food and even better company. RSVP now!