NSED 7220 - Equity and Inclusion in Environmental Education

Current statistics show a staggering disparity in the demographics of visitors and staff in wilderness areas. Depending on the particular study, 80-90% of wilderness visitors are white. As the National Parks Service celebrates its 100th anniversary, a national dialogue has emerged discussing the underrepresentation of people of color in wilderness areas. For many reasons, parks of all levels (local, county, state and national), nature centers, wilderness camps, resorts, and outdoor focused retailers are working hard to reach people of all backgrounds.

Students in this course will ask the questions:

Why is it critical to engage people from diverse communities?
What factors have contributed to the current statistics?
How can people involved in this field become agents of change?

Credits: 2