This Black History Month, we chart a path forward to conquer mountains TOGETHER.
Join us February 27, 2025, from 6 PM to 8 PM at REI Denver for a screening of the award-winning short film Wood Hood, followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion on the urgent need to ensure outdoor spaces remain open and welcoming for everyone.
Enjoy beverages, light food, and snacks, as well as exclusive swag and 1-year free coupon codes for AllTrail+ accounts courtesy of AllTrails while engaging in meaningful discussions on the evolving landscape of outdoor access.
Panel Discussion:
In light of recent national policy shifts, our conversation pivots toward the real-world impact of these rollbacks on Black and other underrepresented communities — especially in outdoor recreation and nature stewardship. Our expert panel will explore the impact of these policies, and how communities can continue fostering a sense of belonging in nature.
Guest Panelists:
Manny Almonte (He/Him/El) – Founder, Camping to Connect
Parker McMullen Bushman (They/She) – Consultant, EcoInclusive
Jessica Newton (She/Her) – Executive Director, Vibe Tribe Adventures
Moderated by: Jason Swann (He/Him) – Conservation Finance Program Director, Trust for Public Land
Discussion Topics:
Access & Representation in the Outdoors – How recent policy changes impact communities and how we can work together to maintain open and welcoming outdoor spaces.
Community and Nature – The role of outdoor recreation in fostering connections, well-being, and opportunities for all.
Career Pathways in the Outdoors – Exploring opportunities in conservation, outdoor recreation, and nature-based industries for underrepresented communities.
The Power of Advocacy – How individuals and organizations can take action to ensure nature remains accessible and welcoming to everyone.
Be Part of the Conversation
Your voice matters. Help shape the future of outdoor access and participation by joining us for this engaging evening.
Let’s stand together to ensure the outdoors remain a space for everyone.
Partners and Sponsors:
AllTrails is the world’s most popular and trusted platform for outdoor exploration. We connect people to the outdoors, help them discover new places, and elevate their experiences on the trail. With the most comprehensive collection of trails in the world, AllTrails supports inclusive access to nature for a global community of millions of trailgoers. Download AllTrails in the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or visit AllTrails.com to learn more.
Camping to Connect uses outdoor recreation and nature immersion to address the diverse issues faced by young in America’s cities—from mental health to healthy masculinity. We provide a safe space for meaningful conversations, connecting youth ages 13+ with nature, their peers, and dedicated mentors. Our leaders reflect the backgrounds of our youth participants, fostering a vital paradigm shift in their self-perception and understanding of their place in the world.
Vibe Tribe Adventures (VTA) is a Denver, Colorado-based national 501(c)(3) offering global outdoor recreation and adventure sports opportunities for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and friends. Our mission centers on helping the urban community connect, reconnect, or deepen their natural right to nature through outdoor recreation, extreme sports participation, backcountry and water safety and stewardship, outdoor industry employment, and outdoor industry entrepreneurship access.
The Next 100 Coalition of civil rights, environmental justice, conservation, and community organizations works for greater inclusion of diverse communities in our country’s national parks and other public lands. Next 100 Colorado is a network of individuals and organizations working to advance the Next 100 Coalition's goals within Colorado. We are committed to a just and inclusive parks and public lands system.
At Ecoinclusive Strategies, our mission is to foster healthy and diverse organizational and community ecosystems that empower individuals from all backgrounds to thrive. Through our DEIJA initiatives, facilitation, and advocacy, we aim to create inclusive spaces where all voices are heard and valued, and where everyone has equitable access to opportunities and resources. We believe that embracing justice and promoting equity is not only the right thing to do, but also leads to stronger, more resilient communities that can tackle the challenges of our interconnected world.