Land Trust Alliance Initiative

According to the National Health Foundation, while people of color make up 40% of the U.S. population, they represent less than 30% of those accessing outdoor spaces. Given the mental and physical benefits of nature, it is critical to improve access to nature and education for marginalized communities. These communities face higher stress levels and lower engagement with the natural world. This initiative aims to use partnerships with various land trusts to help bridge this gap, ensuring that more people from diverse backgrounds experience and benefit from the natural world.

Local land trusts have expressed a desire to increase public use of their properties, and we aim to help them be intentional in inviting diverse groups to experience and enjoy their lands. For example, the Adirondack Land Trust has a goal to “engage more people in land protection through educational outreach to landowners, partners, and diverse constituencies.” This goal closely aligns with our own mission, and we are working to partner with these land trusts to bring it to fruition.