Black History Month is a reminder that Black people have always been outside.
From freedom seekers navigating wetlands to early stewards of our national parks and modern movements reclaiming joy in nature, this piece highlights the overlooked Black figures and organizations that shaped outdoor recreation and environmental equity—and why their stories still matter today.

Unpacking what people mean when they call the outdoors “white people sh*t”—and how history, safety, and belonging shape who feels free to explore nature (and who doesn’t).