The Outdoor Activists and Organizations to Follow in 2021
By Amelia Arvesen
RIDE FOR RACIAL JUSTICE
WHERE TO FIND THEM: rideforracialjustice.org, @rideforracialjustice
RELEVANT ISSUES: Diversifying cycling and racing
NEEDS: A bike sponsor as well as cleats, helmets, pedals, and more gear
Last summer, lifelong cyclist Marcus Robinson confided in his friend Neal Henderson, a cycling coach, that, after the death of George Floyd, he didn’t feel safe as a Black man riding his bike. So, in June, Henderson and some other cyclists organized a group ride—the Ride for Racial Justice—in Denver to support Robinson. More than 100 cyclists showed up. A second ride in Boulder, Colorado, drew an even larger group, a third ride in Fort Collins, Colorado, attracted more than 300 riders, and a fourth in Colorado Springs was also a success. Soon after, the group became an official nonprofit with a five-member board of cyclists dedicated to diversifying the sport.
In November, Ride for Racial Justice announced a partnership with SBT GRVL, one of the world’s premiere gravel races, in Steamboat Springs. The new program offers 25 guaranteed spots for Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) cyclists at the starting line of the 2021 race, slated for August.
“In all the years I’ve raced my bicycle, there’s only been one or two of us in the cat or on the velodrome,” Robinson says. “Now, all these years later, I’m part of a groundswell toward diversity in cycling. It’s not just an ad in print, but we’ll actually have athletes at a start line proving to the world that we’re here. We’ve always been here. We love this sport too. We’re important.”
WINTER WILDLANDS ALLIANCE
WHERE TO FIND THEM: winterwildlands.org, @winterwildlandsalliance
RELEVANT ISSUES: Stewarding the backcountry and greater environment
NEEDS: New members, both at the corporate and individuals levels
The Winter Wildlands Alliance (WWA) is one nonprofit with the advocacy stamina of 100-plus grassroots environmental and backcountry organizations. Since 2000, it has been the unifying voice for skiers, snowshoers, snowboarders, winter mountaineers, and other backcountry adventurers. WWA’s partners include Friends of the Inyo in Bishop, California;Wyoming Wilderness Association; Backcountry Babes; Ice Axe Expeditions; and even REI and Patagonia.
Along with advocating for policy at the federal level to protect recreation spaces, WWA is championing ethical practices within the community. This winter, it introduced the Ski Kind Backcountry Responsibility Code and toolkit. Executive Director Todd Walton says, “With the growth in backcountry participants—who have a wide variety of users and experience levels—we were having conversations about how to address the impact.”
WWA also runs a snow school program for 33,000 kids and hosts the Backcountry Film Festival, now in its 16th year and embracing its new virtual platform, including a screening during Outdooor Retailer Winter Online.
HIKING MY FEELINGS
WHERE TO FIND THEM: hikingmyfeelings.org, @hikingmyfeelings
RELEVANT ISSUES: Creating opportunities for healing in nature
NEEDS: Volunteers, donations, and brand partners
Hiking My Feelings started in 2018 as a hashtag and blog post by Sydney Williams, a former collegiate athlete and competitive skydiver who, at the time, was training for her second thru-hike of the Trans-Catalina Trail. After a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis, she had replaced her normal coping mechanisms—eating and drinking—with hiking. A memoir and speaking tour followed her social media movement. Now, Williams and her four-member board are helping other people discover how spending time outside can heal the mind and body. Their three focus areas include supporting survivors of sexual violence, preventing and managing Type 2 diabetes, and exploring the mind-body connection.
Williams halted her book tour, as well as the workshops and retreats they had planned to host on the road last year. Instead, they turned those events into a 12-week online program called Blaze Your Own Trail to Self-Love. They also created a 20-night online fundraiser called Virtual Campfire, in which they went live on YouTube for two hours every night and hosted more than 60 guests. It’s now a podcast.
Hiking My Feelings’ 2021 goal is to hike 1 million miles for diabetes awareness through three urban hikes around Chicago; Lake Michigan; and Washington, D.C. A 10-episode documentary will highlight the organization, brands, and community leaders who are making the outdoors more inclusive and accessible.
SHE MOVES MOUNTAINS
WHERE TO FIND THEM: shemovesmountains.org, @shemovesmountains
RELEVANT ISSUES: Teaching women-specific rock climbing clinics and creating mentorship opportunities
NEEDS: A yoga sponsor and a solar energy sponsor
By teaching a diverse community of women technical skills and providing mentorship opportunities, She Moves Mountains is changing the narrative that women are underrepresented in the rock climbing and guiding communities. Founder Lizzy VanPatten says the lull in clinics and events in 2020 pushed her team to diversify into creating apparel and hosting online film screenings. But 2021 is going to be full of action for the organization.
Initiatives include introducing programs to new areas, such as Joshua Tree and Moab, and developing creative ways to support other groups in those areas already doing great work. That includes connecting with the tribes who are indigenous to the land and showing gratitude and respect to them. VanPatten says they’re also prioritizing the launch of a backpacking program, expansion of and fundraising for the mentorship
program, and the partnership and free clinics with PDX Climbers of Color.
MILITARY WILD
WHERE TO FIND THEM: militarywild.com, @militarywild
RELEVANT ISSUES: Connecting military families with one another in wild places
NEEDS: Gear donations and Community Perks partners
Military life can be alienating and lonely at times, which led Hannah Wolt to start Military Wild. As an Air Force wife, she was often hiking alone in new places and yearning for community. While on the Pacific island of Guam, she organized a small group hike for military people in her area. Interest grew among active-duty service members, veterans, and military families. As of now, Military Wild has chapters established in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Guam. It achieved nonprofit status in October, and the board plans to expand its efforts to connect even more people by working with partners in the military and outdoor spaces. The Community Perks program, a directory of local businesses offering military discounts, is another way Military Wild is helping members and families feel at home on their new bases.
HBCUS OUTSIDE
WHERE TO FIND THEM: hbcusoutside.com, @hbcusoutside
RELEVANT ISSUES: Bridging the gap between the outdoor industry and students at historically Black colleges and universities
NEEDS: Gear donations, group leaders, and donations
Founded by outdoor industry leader Ron Griswell, HBCUs Outside is introducing outdoor experiences to more than 200,000 current students and 1 million alumni from historically Black colleges and universities. The group’s expeditions—including hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, high-adventure camping in the Adirondacks, and beginner backpacking in the Smoky Mountains—give Black adventurers experiences in nature and teach them outdoor skills. Additionally, in partnership with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), HBCUs Outside is offering two full scholarships for any course during summer 2021 and is seeking applicants. Soon the organization will also provide gear rentals for members at affordable prices.
CLIMATE NEUTRAL
WHERE TO FIND THEM: climateneutral.org, @beclimateneutral
RELEVANT ISSUES:
Helping brands and consumers achieve zero net carbon emissions by 2050
NEEDS: More brands to certify
In the same way a sticker identifies organic produce, this nonprofit is committed to labeling brands as Climate Neutral Certified in order to guide consumers to companies that are offsetting and reducing emissions from making and delivering products.
“We need companies to eliminate their carbon emissions immediately since government policy has consistently fallen short of doing what is needed,” says Climate Neutral CEO Austin Whitman. “The outdoor industry is such a clear leader on this issue.”
Climate Neutral’s programs are simplifying and standardizing the path to net zero for more than 250 companies from the outdoor industry, fashion, food and beverage, home design, and media services. In 2020, notable brands included REI, Reformation, and Nuun. In 2021, the team plans to onboard a whole host of new partners.
INTERSECTIONAL ENVIRONMENTALIST
WHERE TO FIND THEM: intersectionalenvironmenttalist.com, @intersectionalenvironmentalist
RELEVANT ISSUES: Educating about how injustices to marginalized communities and the earth are interconnected
NEEDS: Partners for media production, story telling, and campaigns; grant applicants; and sponsors for the next cohort of paid interns
“Environmentalists for Black Lives Matter.” That was the message repeated 16 times in a square-shaped post that Leah Thomas shared on her social media platforms in May following the murder of George Floyd. She called on the environmental community to protect Black lives, amplify silenced voices, and dismantle systems of oppression as part of their advocacy for the planet. From there, Thomas and three others—Diandra Marizet, Sabs Katz, and Phil Aiken—founded Intersectional Environmentalist to educate the world about the inclusive form of environmentalism. “Historically, conversations around environmentalism have been very focused on conservation and the outdoors, all of which is incredibly important,” says Katz. “But it’s also very important to recognize that environmental justice organizations and conversations very easily get quashed because people deem them too political.”
Intersectional Environmentalist’s ultimate mission is to shift the whitewashed narrative of environmentalism. The group is on the cusp of establishing a nonprofit branch, building a media house and education center, holding companies accountable, onboarding paid interns, mentoring leaders, and growing its reach.
ALEX SHOWERMAN
WHERE TO FIND HER: alexshowerman.com, @alexshowerman
RELEVANT ISSUES: Breaking down barriers for traditionally underrepresented mountain bikers, snowboarders, and outdoor professionals
NEEDS: Partner brands and funding for storytelling
If you’re looking for Alex Showerman at the next trade show or on the skin track, she’ll probably be rocking her new signature color: dusty pink. Since coming out as a trans wom an last year, Showerman is representing the underrepresented in mountain biking, snowboarding, and the greater outdoor industry. Both 2019 and 2020 were transformative years for the public relations and marketing pro. She broke her neck in July 2019. She lost her job at a boutique PR firm at the start of the pandemic. She founded her own business called Hidden Frontier Collective, which does brand strategy, storytelling, and communications for values-driven brands. And she began finally living her truth as a woman.
“Something I didn’t realize until recently: I hated smiling before coming out,” she wrote on Instagram in December. “It always felt so forced, awkward, and uncomfortable. Now, I’ve noticed every photo snapped of me is a big smile filled with authentic joy, even when I’m
not trying.”
Showerman is one of very few out trans women in her sports of mountain biking and snowboarding. She recently became an athlete for numerous brands, including Picture Organic and Wild Rye. Through her business, she also represents Weston, which makes skis, snowboards, and splitboards; and Athletic Brewing, which brews non-alcoholic craft beers.
Don’t miss her radiant smile—and skills on powder and single track—in two forthcoming films this year. We Are Snowboarding is about women from different walks of life finding shared humanity in the mountains and taking up space in the male-dominated community. And
Coming Home is about Showerman finding belonging in the women’s mountain biking community.
JEFF JENKINS
WHERE TO FIND HIM: chubbydiaries.com, @chubbydiaries_
RELEVANT ISSUES: Representing plus-size and Black travelers
NEEDS: Looking to connect with a zipline-maker and a parachute-maker
Jeff Jenkins has dived with great white sharks in South Africa, climbed mountains in Guatemala, and visited the Great Wall of China. Destinations still on his wish list include Bora Bora, Antarctica, and more countries in Africa. As soon as more people are vaccinated, Jenkins says he’ll be signing up for more daring and far-fetched experiences. Jenkins started Chubby Diaries in 2018 after he quit his job as a school teacher and visited Rwanda to build water wells on a mission trip with friends. “I remember thinking, I want to be able to travel the world and help people,” he says.
As a plus-size man, he wanted to share his personal stories about the unique challenges he faces while traveling and recreating out doors on his blog and Instagram. But he also wanted to embolden other plus-size people to travel and realize that they are just as worthy and capable of seeing the world; they don’t have to wait until they’re a certain weight, shape, or size. “Although I know there are a lot of plus-size people in the world, I don’t see them traveling much,” Jenkins says. “I wanted to see more people who looked like me.”
His recent posts include “Can Chubby People Ski?” and “What Plus-Size Travelers Need to Know Before Going to Disney World.” He also writes about food, facts about destinations in the U.S. and other countries, and about racial justice. As a founding member of the Black Travel Alliance, he advocates for safe spaces and equality in the travel and outdoor industries. With a growing following and influence, he considers himself a conduit between his audience and brands who have the power to improve access and representation.
KAREN RAMOS
WHERE TO FIND HER: vamosafuera.org, @naturechola,
RELEVANT ISSUES: Speaking up about Latinx, indigenous, and migrant issues
NEEDS: People with a variety of skills who can offer pro bono work for Get Out, Stay Out, including a bookkeeper and/or accountant
Karen Ramos feels most like herself on the beach, on the trail, and anywhere in nature. Through her Instagram, @naturechola, Ramos documents her experiences as a Oaxacan indigenous outdoor adventurer. “Why can’t these two paradox identities merge?” she says about her social media handle. “Why can’t I merge these two things that I feel strongly define my identity more than anything else?” She shares about racism and gaslighting in the outdoor industry, being the representation she wanted growing up, sustainability and environmental justice, and more. She also opened up this year about her mental health journey.
Ramos is also the founder of Get Out, Stay Out, a nonprofit that serves indigenous migrant youth in Southern California and gives them space to write their own narratives in the outdoors. It started a few years ago when she was still a teacher and took 16 students on an after-school hiking trip. “As soon as we got to the trail and we let everybody out, it was like, three kids were over there, five kids over there, one wanted to hold my hand,” she says. “My immediate instinct as a teacher was, I need to round these kids up … and
then I’m like, wait, no, this is what I wanted.” Programming kicks off again this spring.
Also later this year, look for her heritage-honoring fabric designs on a fanny pack created in collaboration with Granite Gear, as well as outdoor leaders José González and Teresa Baker.
ROY TUSCANY
WHERE TO FIND HIM: highfivesfoundation.org, @roytuscany
RELEVANT ISSUES: Preventing life-changing injuries and providing resources if they do happen through High Fives Foundation
NEEDS: Donations and exclusive partnerships
As one of the newest members of Eddie Bauer’s One Outside program, Roy Tuscany is pushing for inclusivity for people with disabilities in the outdoors and encouraging businesses to see people who participate in adaptive sports as true athletes. Tuscany founded High Fives Foundation in 2009 after recovering from a spinal cord injury while training to be a professional freeskier. He sought to pay forward all the help he received from friends and family throughout his journey. “The idea was to help folks who sustain these life-changing injuries return to the sport they love,” he says. “Eleven years later, we’ve done that with 357 individual investments from 40 states and Canada. We continue to return people back to what they love most—getting outdoors.”
Under the High Fives Foundation, his team provides safety education through a platform called Basics. A healing center in Truckee, California, gives people with spinal cord injuries a free place to work out and heal. And a new veterans program gives critically wounded veterans nine weeks of personal training, capped off with an opportunity to ski and snowboard. “We try to use the outdoors as a way for healing in a way where we don’t always have to be talking about healing,” Tuscany says.
ISABEL RODRIGUEZ
WHERE TO FIND HER: thecycleeffect.org, @thecycleeffect
RELEVANT ISSUES: Serving immigrants and the Spanish-speaking community in Colorado’s Summit County
NEEDS: Sponsorships and gear donations for girls’ cycling programs
A dancer at heart, Isabel Rodriguez is now bringing her skills and her love for building community to the outdoor industry as a program manager for The Cycle Effect, a new nonprofit in Summit County, Colorado. Rodriguez learned how to mountain bike this summer and just celebrated her year anniversary at the organization, which helps young girls get into the sport. Biking wasn’t on her radar until someone at The Cycle Effect ap proached her for the role.
As a Mexican-American, bilingual, biliterate, and bilingual woman, she spent about nine years in Summit County connecting with immigrant and Spanish-speaking students and families. Through a dance program for adults and young children, she shared their culture with the community. Even though her activity looks a little bit different now, she continues to empower young people. “Part of the activism is to change the narrative and help the outdoor field of sports in the U.S. realize we can do this too—it’s just that our systems are not created to serve everyone,” she says. “But as a leader, I can change that.”
VASU SOJITRA
WHERE TO FIND HIM: vasusojitra.com, @vasu_sojitra
RELEVANT ISSUES: Disability justice and coaching brands on diversity, equity, and inclusion
NEEDS: Donations to get Inclusive Outdoors Project off the ground
While some folks found themselves with excessive time to slow down in 2020, Vasu Sojitra picked up his pace on diversity, equity, and inclusivity advocacy—a space in which he is already well-versed. Sojitra, a first-generation Indian-American living with a physical disability, recently co-founded Inclusive Outdoors Project (@inclusiveoutdoorsproject).
Alongside Sophia Bielsky of Queer Climbers Coalition, he plans to build more affinity spaces in mountain sports programming—ice climbing, backcountry skiing, mountaineering, and alpinism—for underrepresented communities. “We are constantly seeing forced separation and exclusion of a lot of these communities, and the idea is to bring people of all these various backgrounds together to be able to connect through sport and activity,” he says.
Sojitra is an advisory board member for the Outdoor Equity Fund and an athlete for The North Face, where he also pushes anti-racism and anti-biased work. He lives by the motto “#ninjasticking through the woods to bring intersectionality to the outdoors.”
QUANNAH CHASINGHORSE
WHERE TO FIND HER: @quannah.rose
RELEVANT ISSUES: Fighting for climate justice and protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
NEEDS: Companies to give back to the Han Gwich’in and Oglala Lakota people
At 18 years old, Quannah Chasinghorse is helping lead the fight to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The Han Gwich’in and Oglala Lakota climate justice activist has lobbied in Washington, D.C., spoken at numerous events, and, late last year, signed as a model with international agency IMG Models to further represent her people in the fashion industry. “We still don’t have much visibility,” she says. “Through this work, I’ll be able to educate more people about what’s going on in Indian country.”
Chasinghorse was a youth explorer on an ANWR expedition with The North Face in June 2019. She lobbied with the brand and also spoke on a panel alongside her mother, Jody Potts, who is Han Gwich’in and a tribal member of the Native Village of Eagle, at the January 2020 Outdoor Retailer show. The mother-daughter duo is working on a documentary film about their advocacy and their way of life in Alaska. “I’m just going to keep advocating as much as I can,” Chasinghorse says. “I’m not going to let people silence me.
