Outdoor Resources Part 1
If you love the outdoors, as I do, you’ll be happy to hear that 2018 boasts a treasure trove of resources that will help you and your community get outside, regardless of your age, ability, or zip code. Here are a few to get started:
Latino Outdoors is kicking off the year with events, hikes, panels, screenings and opportunities to connect to the outdoors. Their mission is to “connect familias and youth with nature, engage and inspire Latino leadership, empower communities to explore and share their stories in defining the Latino Outdoors identity.” They have a growing instagram, facebook and twitter presence so be sure to follow their accounts to learn about the latest event and volunteer opportunities near you. I recently signed up as a volunteer, so if you’re a Latinx adventurer, you’ll be happy to know, there’s a community out there for you.
The National Park Foundation, celebrating 50 years of adventure, has provided several downloads that contain detailed maps, lists of romantic, adventure ideas, winter wonderlands, road trip suggestions, urban playground guides, hiking tips and more. Check out the NPF’s “Explore Parks” section for all these resources, available as free downloads.
Patagonia Action Works is the latest initiative from one of the most prolific outdoors brands in the world. Action Works was launched to “connect committed individuals to organizations working on environmental issues in the same community”. It’s as easy as visiting their website, signing in and checking out events, petitions, volunteering opportunities and local causes you can donate to. #AnswerWithAction
If you live in the Los Angeles area, as I do, you’ll want to follow the #OurParks Coalition to learn about the effort to provide local parks and open scape in L.A. County and more about Proposition 68, the California Clean Water & Safe Parks Act. If you’re one of the many outdoor data nerds in SoCal, you can download L.A. County’s Parks Needs Assessment Report and crunch some numbers with your granola.
