What happens when you bring together outdoor retail giants, a major conservation non-profit in the US, researchers from top universities, a prominent DC advocate, a National Park ranger, a group of 13 African Americans with fire in their hearts for nature, crowd funding, volunteers  – and me, a social entrepreneur from Oakland, California…

The Outdoor Afro Leadership Team training weekend!
Even though it has been well over a week, I am still feeling the high of gratitude and moments where I ask myself did that really happen? Did such a diverse group of …

Outdoor Afros in Los Angeles explored local African American history and nature over the weekend – read on!
 
Alisha Pye here, I’m the Outdoor Afro Leader for Los Angeles. This week we decided to celebrate Spring by hiking at Solstice Canyon in Malibu which is located in the Santa Monica Mountains. It’s a beautiful hike with flowers in full bloom, waterfalls to enjoy, valleys and canyons to climb and picnic areas. We started on the stairs and continued on a steady incline until we came to an area of ruins that …

By Alisha Pye, Los Angeles Outdoor Afro Leader

So we went hiking above the Mountain Gate Country Club again, but this time we decided to mix it up a bit. So we decided to go off the fire trail and hike the hills. This was a great hike although we had fewer people we had a very diverse group, ranging from a mom wearing her 6 month baby, to a 9 year old cross country runner.
This hike was particularly challenging for me because I’m very afraid of heights and cliffs, both …

Lassen Volcanic Park continues to be the hidden gem enjoyed by the Outdoor Afro community. For the second year in a row, we partnered with National Park Service staff to lead a snow shoe walk among in the park’s beautiful red fir forest and for the second year in a row, we had a blast!
When we first arrived, Rangers Chris and Caitlin greeted us and explained the history of snow shoeing, including their use in Native American culture.
After all of us were fitted with our snow shoes, we made our …

We are grateful to have been on CBS Bay Sunday Show, which aired in the San Francisco Bay area earlier this week. For those of you who live outside the area – or were out on a hike while the show aired here is the link to the video for you to enjoy and share!
Thanks to producer Akilah Bolden-Monifah, and the entire CBS Bay Area team for making the show happen – we had a blast! Please Like them on Facebook!

Submitted by Outdoor Afro Lesly Simmons
I love spending time outdoors, but I have a bit of a problem-I’m addicted to my devices. Its so sad, but rather than beating myself up about it I tried to find ways to use my iPhone and iPad to help enhance my outdoor experiences. Turns out there are a ton of great apps that cover all the details of our national parks and many local ones across the country. Here are my favorites:

Fotopedia’s National Parks app is my favorite. Its easy to spend an …

Sponsored by The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), in partnership with the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (HFNHP)
Saturday, June 2nd, 2012  - 10:30 am to 2:00 pm
The event will showcase some of the rich history that occurred along the Harpers Ferry section of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.)
W E B Du Bois
A moderate 1-mile guided hike will begin at ATC’s Visitor Center and end by following the Appalachian Trail downhill past numerous scenic spots and historic structures. At each historic site, a Harpers Ferry Park ranger will give an interpretive presentation about its …

Join Outdoor Afro in getting excited about the second annual National Kids to Parks Day May 19th, 2012! What a great opportunity to celebrate nature with kids, families, and fellow outdoor people!
Photo By Nkrumiah Frazier
The National Park Trust and our mascot Buddy Bison wants everyone to have an American park experience. We are inviting every family in America to visit a national, state or local park and play outdoors on May 19, 2012! As Buddy Bison says, “Explore outdoors, the parks are yours!”
Last year, nearly 200 mayors coast to coast signed …

Outdoor Afro A. Breeze Harper writes about her experiences hiking in Utah as a new mom and appeals for more black people to get outside and into our beautiful National Parks.

Bryce Canyon National Park, May 2012 with Eva Luna (9 months old). She nursed 1/2 the time during the 7 mile hike.
I just got back from a 7 day road trip that started in Denver CO and ended in Berkeley CA. I spent most of my time in Utah. I went to Arches National Park, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National …

Did you know that many National Parks highlight the African American experience?
The National Parks will be FREE to enter April 21-29, 2012 - 
Now is the time to start planning your National Park Week adventure! 
Did you know there are nearly 400 parks located all over the United States? These parks can be found close to home in urban centers as well as near pristine lands. They also provide a broad range of recreational experiences and opportunities to learn more about our collective history, and there are several parks that highlight the African American experience.
Visit …