The agency is trying to hire more racially diverse staff — but can’t seem to make headway.
Race
Posted inArticles
Border wall divides lands, but not culture
A wall bars the physical passage of people in a park near San Diego— but music scales that barrier.
Posted inArticles
How Shelton Johnson became the Buffalo Soldiers’ champion
The Park Service’s best-known ranger is determined not to let the African-American soldiers fall into obscurity.
Posted inArticles
Why an outdoor group’s work is ‘more relevant than ever’
The founder of Outdoor Afro talks about racial violence and why we all need a dose of nature.
Posted inArticles
Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake’s criticism of Trump wins him national prominence
His decision to sit out the GOP convention reflects his principles and the purpling of Arizona.
Posted inArticles
The importance of Black Lives Matter in a white rural West
A Westerner reflects on racial injustice close to home.
Posted inArticles
A week of Black Lives Matter protests in the West
After last week’s police shootings, Americans use social media to call for police reform and racial justice.
Posted inJune 27, 2016: The New Advocates
Diversity in the outdoors, one hashtag at a time
A conversation with Teresa Baker, founder of Hike Like a Girl.
Posted inJune 27, 2016: The New Advocates
Meet the badasses bringing outdoor rec to the people who pioneered it
More groups are focused on getting Native Americans outside.
Posted inJune 27, 2016: The New Advocates
What if I’m not white?
A former sports writer tries to find a place for himself in the outdoors.
Posted inArticles
Why the EPA fails to enforce the Civil Rights Act
Despite a new environmental justice action plan, the EPA has a poor record of protecting communities of color from toxic environments.
Posted inArticles
Big funds for Native American farmers and ranchers on the way
The largest ever philanthropic fund for Indian Country stems from a 1999 class-action lawsuit.
Posted inArticles
Christina Benton: Nomadic mama with a mission
An African-American family hits the road on an RV adventure to spread the word about diversity in national parks.
Posted inMay 30, 2016: Trial by Fire
Photos: Three years with New Mexico’s Hispanic communities
A photographer’s nostalgic look back at time spent with Nuevomexicanos.
Posted inArticles
How to remember a century of National Parks, for people of color
When I was 7, or maybe 8, I read a book called The Hundred Penny Box. It told the story of an African-American woman who was 100 years old. She’d put a penny in that box for every year of her life, and whenever she pulled a penny out, she told her great-great-nephew a story. […]
Posted inArticles
National Park Week fails to change the game
Last week’s celebration showed how close we are to natural beauty, yet so far from diversifying our national parks.
Posted inArticles
Remembering the Buffalo Soldiers
New highway designation will commemorate Yosemite’s first black rangers.
Posted inArticles
How bigotry is woven in with our Western roots
Rock Springs, Wyoming, has a largely unrecognized history of racial violence.
Posted inArticles
In Washington, the Nooksack 306 fight to stay in their tribe
An internecine battle rages over tribal membership and identity.
Posted inArticles
No, national parks are not America’s ‘best idea’
There’s potential to alienate people who value ideas more pertinent to them than the parks.