By Julia Kaseta & Madi Thurston
O
ne of the greatest gifts of America is public lands. However, while millions of acres are open to all for recreation, these spaces are not utilized by everyone. The TRT is an internationally-recognized trail system that brings adventurers from all over the world, a majority of who are white and affluent. There is a gap in representation and groups of differing skin tones, cultures, ethnicities, economic classes, gender identities and expressions, sexualities, immigration statuses, physical and mental abilities, and body types that are often underrepresented on trails and in outdoor spaces. While tourism plays a large part in the demographic disparity of Tahoe’s natural spaces, additional factors often limit the engagement of diverse local and regional communities
teaching wilderness skills, natural science, and stewardship ethics is helping fulfill these organizations’ missions by making the outdoors more inclusive. To gain perspective from the experts themselves, the TRTA connected with Aurora Perez, the SF Bay Regional Coordinator for LO, and Ruby Aguirre, the Social Services Director for NGS, to discuss the barriers and solutions to diversifying the outdoors. Financial, cultural, language, transportation, and knowledge barriers have influenced the way many youth and families from disadvantaged backgrounds engage in outdoor recreation. Ms. Perez described the connection between her culture and outdoor experiences to be frontcountry activities involving LO core values of
Group reflection at Round Lake
Participants reach new heights
of Northern Nevada and Northern California from engaging in outdoor activities. The TRTA’s Youth Backcountry Camp (YBCC) Program is working to address some of these factors through its immersive wilderness programming by partnering with social service organizations with a similar mission. Awarded the TRTA’s 2021 Partner of the Year award, Next Generation Scholars (NGS) and Latino Outdoors (LO) have inspired the TRTA to increase its youth outreach programming footprint after co-leading a YBCC trip for 11 underrepresented youth from the Bay Area. These organizations have been working towards providing educational and recreational opportunities for Latinx, firstgeneration, immigrant, English-learner, and low-income youth and families to make academic and outdoor spaces more welcoming and accessible. The TRTA’s fully-outfitted, four-day backpacking experience
familia, comunidad, and cultura, “My family and I would go to local parks, hang a piñata from a strong tree branch, and have parties there.” And while outdoor recreation can take on many forms, inclusive immersive wilderness experiences that provide the knowledge and resources to continue outdoor exploration were absent for Ms. Perez and continue to be for many children today. “Growing up, I didn’t have any exposure to backcountry activities, and I know a lot of youth today can relate.” The backcountry activities that stimulate independence, resiliency, and confidence are primarily available for the wealthy, aware, and experienced. Despite many outdoor spaces being public and free, barriers to access begin at home. Pricey outdoor equipment, transportation to trailheads, and the time and knowledge required to safely enjoy remote destinations are resources that marginalized communities do not have equitable access to. With the support of
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TRAIL BLAZER | Winter 2021 | Tahoe Rim Trail Association
