Bridging the nature gap: Supporting ethno-racial diversity in outdoor spaces

Abstract

Interaction with natural environments grants a myriad of health and wellbeing benefits to people and can result in an increase in conservation behaviors. Given these benefits, it is concerning that in the United States, Black, Asian, and Latine people have lower rates of participation in nature-based activities and lower access to nature compared to White people. While previous research on this topic focused on the barriers preventing participation, it is less clear what supports Black, Asian, and Latine engagement with nature. We examined the role of community cultural wealth (CCW), environmental education (EE), and the intersection of racial and gender identities in Black, Asian, and Latine people's participation in nature-based activities. Community cultural wealth is an asset-based model used to understand the persistence of marginalized individuals in institutions created without them in mind. We proposed that this novel use of the framework can help to better understand sources of support for Black, Asian, and Latine people's interactions with nature because these activities have been historically impacted by structural racism. We assessed the linkages between EE, CCW, intersectionality, and participation in nature-based activities using qualitative and quantitative social-science methods. Results from semi-structured interviews (n = 36) and a nationwide survey (n = 1387) showed that social connections, family, community, EE experiences, and relevant skills and information were important drivers of participation in nature-based activities for Black, Asian, and Latine individuals. Our findings suggest that fostering social connections, increasing equity in EE, and providing outdoor engagement opportunities are integral to supporting nature engagement for these individuals.