The Northern Forest Center has long viewed access to outdoor recreational assets and programming as a key ingredient in what makes up the fabric of vibrant communities, as well as an avenue to both retain and attract residents to the region. With intentional planning, outdoor recreation can be a powerful tool to generate economic activity in rural communities, build a strong stewardship ethic and connection to the land, and provide opportunities for people to gather and connect with each other.

Unfortunately, the benefits of outdoor recreation have not always been equitably shared by society at large. For myriad reasons, the characteristics of typical outdoor recreation participants – whether reflecting race, gender, sexual orientation, level of physical ability, or socio-economic status – do not match the diversity of the general population. For many people, outdoor recreation is something that “other” people do – not something they see as accessible to, or designed for, someone like themselves.

We are encouraged to see many groups and individuals across the Northern Forest paying more attention to this problem and coming up with novel ways to address it. We featured three of them in our recent webinar, “Outdoors for Everyone: Engaging More People in the Outdoors.” Our panelists were Zach McCarthy, founder and executive Director of Inclusive Ski Touring; Kari Taylor, director of Western Maine Addiction Recovery Initiative; and Klarisse Torriente, recreational enthusiast, volunteer, and writer in the Adirondacks.

Kari, who identifies herself as a person in recovery, noted that “nature can be an integral part of somebody’s recovery journey” – especially when experienced in community. “We have a saying,” Kari told us. “Recovery is possible, and community is the cure.” She explained that “many people in recovery lack the financial resources, the skills, or the comfort level to take advantage of outdoor recreation, so our program works to reduce those barriers and provide a comfortable space.”

Similarly, Zach’s organization aims to develop an inclusive and financially accessible uphill skiing community through organized group programs. He explained that Inclusive Ski Touring offers “programs for individuals who are historically underrepresented in the outdoor community, such as people of color or queer individuals,” in partnership with organizations such as Outdoor Afro, Latino Outdoors, and Kindling Collective. The partnerships are critical, Zach said, “to be able to really connect with the participants and ensure that we’re providing a safe and welcoming environment for these individuals to get out and try the sports with us.”

Klarisse brought her personal experience to the webinar as a Black woman living, recreating, and working in the Adirondacks. She was the first Black person to serve as a High Peaks Summit Steward, an experience she would go on to write about and share in a column in the Adirondack Explorer. She explained, “I have a deep love for the outdoors and I want to take care of it. And I have so many people of color, including my own family, who have such a marginalized relationship with the outdoors.” After recounting a story about two women of color who shared with her they had experienced discrimination on a hike, with people questioning their preparation and gear choices, Klarisse shared that she has had similar experiences. She said she made a point to let those hikers and others realize that the outdoors are free and open to all.

Zach, Kari, and Klarisse are just a few of the many people and organizations in the Northern Forest working to make the outdoors more welcoming to all. The Center is proud to lend support to and highlight initiatives that aim to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoors. Some of our related work has included:

• Providing small grants to adaptive programming providers, such as the Northeast Disabled Athletic Association for its adaptive kayak program.
• Supporting gear libraries like The Katahdin Gear Library in Millinocket, Maine, and supporting the purchase of equipment by groups like the Oxford Hills Outing Club that help reduce financial barriers to participation in outdoor activities.
• Supporting adaptive-friendly trails to increase accessibility for folks with various mobility issues, such as a beautiful boardwalk on the Newport, Vermont Waterfront Recreation Path that connects Prouty Beach to Bluffside Farm.
• Highlighting people and programs working to engage folks from traditionally underrepresented populations in the outdoors through various Center channels. At our 2024 Northern Forest Outdoor Recreation Symposium, we featured groups such as the Champlain Sailing Center, which works to get more youth from various racial and socio-economic backgrounds sailing, and Adaptive Sport Partners, an organization that empowers individuals with disabilities in the North Country of New Hampshire and Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, by building community, confidence, and skills through sport, recreation, and adventure. Providing funding support to youth mountain biking programs such as those offered through Craftsbury Outdoor Center’s “Wheels on Wheels” program, Hilltopper MTB, Littleton, NH Parks and Recreation, and the Coos Cycling Club.

We are very excited about these projects and programs – and we know there’s far more work to be done. The many benefits of being out in the Northern Forest are simply too great to be limited to a privileged few. We’re actively exploring new partnerships and opportunities to deepen our work in this space, and welcome conversation with others interested in making outdoor recreation in the Northern Forest more accessible to all.