This document summarizes a presentation by Dr. Nina S. Roberts on challenges and opportunities for increasing diversity in parks and open spaces. It identifies several barriers that discourage ethnic minority communities from visiting parks, such as lack of comfort, accessibility issues, and safety concerns. It also provides suggestions for improving outreach like emphasizing local community connections, promoting diverse role models on social media, and creating state outdoor recreation offices. Finally, the document offers tips for environmental non-profits to increase diversity through assessment, comprehensive planning, and accountability.

1. Nina S. Roberts, Ph.D.
Professor, Recreation, Parks, & Tourism
Director, Institute for Civic & Community Engagement
Beyond Barriers:
Challenges & Opportunities
for Parks and Open Space
May 10, 2018

3. A few national trends that matter most…
Unequal attainment of college education

5. (Center for Western Priorities, 2018)
290 Million
Visits
Annually!
So why the continued
buzz about “barriers”?

6.  Historical context
 Lack of comfort or feeling
“welcome”
 Communication
(e.g., signs, language,
interpretation, messaging)
 Lack of marketing efforts
towards ethnic minority
communities
 Access (e.g., transportation,
costs/fees, facilities)
 Lack of information
 Education / Lack of knowledge
about the outdoors
 Fear and safety concerns
 Discrimination–Perceived or
Real (“Avoidance / Displacement”)
 Socialization as a child
Top 10 Constraints to Visiting Parks, Forests and other
Public Lands among Ethnic Minorities
(not including ‘lack of time’)
(Sample sources: Burne & Wolch, 2009; Chavez, Winter and Absher, 2008; Derose & Cohen, 2016; Dwyer, 1994; Finney, 2014;
Floyd, 1999; Gramann, 1996; Metcalf, Burns, & Graefe, 2013; Rao & Roberts, 2017; Roberts, Chavez, Lara & Sheffield, 2009;
Roberts & Chitwere, 2010; Rodriguez & Roberts, 2002; Taylor, 1989; Washburne, 1978)

9. (Outdoor Alliance, 2017)

10. Stop wishing
Follow trends
Seek resources for change
Start connecting
Photo: OIF

11. Trust is No. 1
Can lead to deeper, more authentic connections

12. % of U.S. Adults who use at least 1 social media site, by race
* YouTube
* FaceBook
* Instagram
* Twitter
Blacks
&
Latinos

13. Focus on local sources –
“Meet them where they’re at”
Expand your organizational lens
through ethnic media

15. Become a Member!

16. (Photo: Crissy Field Center)

20. #NativesOutdoors

21. Team Blackstar Skydivers
Brown People Camping
Unlikely Hikers Fat Girls Hiking
Outdoor Asian
Native Women's Wilderness
Latinx Hikers
Color Outside
Queer Nature
#DiversifyOutdoors | diversifyoutdoors.com
Black Girls Surf

22. “How can I improve or
better prepare for…”

23. Creation of Outdoor Recreation Offices in ALL 50
States (in progress) – When will Cali form one?
Feb. 2018, Washington, DC: Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
requested every Governor establish an
“Outdoor Recreation Industry Office”
Colorado Utah
Montana Vermont
North Carolina Washington
Oregon Wyoming
Currently
8 states

24. 191 Environmental nonprofits
74 Gov’t environmental agencies
28 Leading environmental grant-
making foundations
(Green 2.0, 2014)
“Overwhelmingly white”
88% staff members
95% governing boards
U.S. = 39 percent nonwhite

25.  Create assessment & employ metrics to identify
organizational needs
 Integrate diversity into the structure, mission and
bottom line
 Build into performance review
 Develop comprehensive plan w/ evaluation
 Use metrics to attract diverse applicants
 Recognize limitations of “diversity training” &
institute ongoing efforts (working groups, etc.)
 Establish RDI committee or manager
 Require accountability!
Tips for Improving Talent Acquisition
(sample strategies)
(Diversity Inc., 2017; Forbes, 2012; Green 2.0, 2014)

26. Dr. Nina S. Roberts
San Francisco State University
nroberts@sfsu.edu
415.338.7576