Western Resource Advocates
State-based Outdoor Equity Programs
Jason Swann
Executive Summary
Outdoor equity is at the forefront of conversations and policy discussions among the “big green”
environmental groups and members of Congress. On the heels of three successful state outdoor
equity grant programs created in New Mexico, California, and Colorado, there's increased potential
and political appetite to create a national outdoor equity grant program. Seizing on this opportunity,
a diverse group of outdoor and environmental leaders from across the nation came together with the
objective of increasing access to public lands for underserved youth and communities of color. The
Outdoor F.U.T.U.R.E. Initiative coalition aims to address the nation’s chronic and systemic inequities
that prevent underserved youth and communities of color from engaging in meaningful outdoor
recreation and educational experiences on public lands. The initiative will ensure long-term
investments in programs for underserved youth, regardless of income or zip code. These
investments will ensure youth have the opportunity to explore the great outdoors, reap health,
educational, and career-building benefits, while growing a new generation of environmental
stewards. To create a National Outdoor Equity Grant Program with bipartisan support, a thorough
examination of existing outdoor programs throughout the U.S. needs to be conducted, starting with
the states where WRA works in the West (i.e., NV, AZ, CO, MT, UT, WY, NM), followed by a more
thorough analysis nationwide.