“Outdoor environments were the original natural spaces for BIPOC folks. In the United States, through a myriad of ways, this aspect was stripped from folks’ culture. The anxiety trauma of enslaved blacks on the run in forests, blacks being prohibited from public pools and parks, brown folks’ association with white folks outdoors in ranger uniforms and the trauma that could bring, the false notion that “the wilderness is for white people”; these  mentalities, along with other barriers such as cost, transportation, apparatuses and knowledge of recreational locations, are some of the walls I have done my best to knock down. I want to make it clear to all of these folks that it is not only their right to be in nature, but that they belong there. 

Ultimately, young folks need to be able to feel heard, empowered and engage at their full mental, physical, emotional and spiritual potential. I want them to believe in themselves and that they can be that naturalist that led yesterday’s hike, a camp coordinator, or the next Betty Reid Soskin. I put into practice the conveyance of truth to power messages in several forums with YES youth. Whether through periodical one-on-one check ins, general conversations/engagement or intentional cohort work, I consciously insert these messages into my rhetoric. I speak directly to youth on matters such as how electronic waste from global regions of privilege ends up in dump sites and burned adjacent to villages in impoverished regions of West Africa and parts of Asia. Or about the environmental and social injustices around big oil, big plastic and municipal lobbies financially backing legislation that is harmful to the environment and/or in direct correlation to a region’s mortality rate in the US. 

In regard to youth’s potential to obtain jobs in the outdoor field, I support with trainings, job readiness workshops as well as providing ample opportunities to expand their 21st Century Skills via volunteer and paid staff positions with our summer camp partners and with YES on day and overnight excursions.

Doing ‘The Work’ is an ongoing process. I am grateful that my career path has afforded me the opportunity to contribute to this effort since 1999. I vow and pledge to continue doing this work in as great a capacity as I am allotted so that I may continue to utilize my energy and growing wisdom to speak Truth to Power.“