Nina S. Roberts

Crossing the color line with a different perspective on whiteness and (anti)racism: a response to Mary McDonald.

Abstract This paper is a response to the keynote address by Mary McDonald delivered at the 2008 NRPA Butler Lecture. Her paper on “Dialogues on Whiteness, Leisure, and (Anti)Racism” was subsequently published in the Journal of Leisure Research in the first quarter of 2009. While there are several areas of congruence and historical accuracy regarding McDonalds work, this present article includes a distinctive line of reasoning for how whiteness influences the leisure experiences of ethnic minorities. A different perspective on understanding racism in relation to recreation and use of parks as leisure spaces is offered and some competing viewpoints provided. This response paper provides a contribution towards the discussion of power, privilege and the continued existence of oppression and discrimination in this field. It suggests we continue to explore critical race theory in recreation and leisure studies yet this must begin with perceptions of “justice,” coupled with a fundamental belief in the mere existence of injustice, if change is truly to occur. The intention of this paper is to support key components of McDonalds premise while also challenging conventional thinking. Additionally, assorted questions are asked to counteract some of those noted by McDonald, relationships between social and environmental justice and leisure are explored from a different lens, and suggestions for research directions are offered.

Social Justice in Outdoor Experiential Education: A State of Knowledge Review

Outdoor experiential education has often been critiqued for its White, male, middle/upper-class, able-bodied history, thereby causing professionals and programs to consider issues of social justice. This state of knowledge paper will review the literature on social and environmental justice, identify gaps in current social justice literature and practice, and offer recommendations for creating a new history.

Research Article: Speaking of Justice: Exploring Ethnic Minority Perspectives of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), one of the most highly visited national parks in the United States, is an important cultural symbol in the San Francisco Bay Area. Traditionally absent groups are expressing a desire to enjoy the benefits associated with outdoor recreation including public lands that may be lesser known to them. Understanding how national parks are used by ethnic minorities is of increasing importance to both the public and the National Park Service. In 2006, the GGNRA commissioned a focus-group study with nearly 100 people of color living in the Bay Area to provide indicators of constraints to park use. While identifying physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of access to nature in parks, many participants expressed frustration with limited physical access, subtle racism, and general exclusion from the culture of parks as reasons why they avoid these public spaces. The results of this study corroborate over four decades of research on park constraints. This article presents results of narratives provided by those who experience constraints and their desire to participate. For national parks to become representative of the people they serve, we suggest the need to mitigate silent exclusion and move toward proactive inclusion both inside and outside the parks. Key considerations include outreach through more intentional communication strategies, multilingual signage, responding to complaints of discrimination, and more representative hiring practices.

Impacts of the National Green Corps Program (Eco‐Clubs) on students in India and their participation in environmental education activities

India’s National Green Corps (NGC) Eco‐Clubs are a unique opportunity to educate youth about environmental issues. NGC objectives include: (1) educate children about their immediate environment by increasing awareness; (2) impart knowledge about eco‐systems, their interdependence and need for survival, through visits and demonstrations; (3) mobilize youth by instilling a spirit of scientific inquiry into environmental problems; and (4) involve youth in active environmental preservation efforts. In 2005–2006, Eco‐Clubs existed in nearly 68,000 schools across India representing 150 Eco‐Clubs per district. During the 2007–2008 school year, the number of Eco‐Clubs increased to approximately 97,000 in 519 districts. The purpose of the study reported here was to document and evaluate the effectiveness of Eco‐Clubs and assess their organizational framework. An extensive document review of secondary data was employed and focus group interviews were conducted in two locations. Findings show that the partnership programs developed by schools with non‐governmental organizations to propel the Eco‐Club concept forward have contributed greatly to their ability to provide ongoing, quality programs for students. Recommendations include directing different agencies to work cohesively towards program success, clarifying the future NGC vision, and addressing existing operational shortcomings.

Surmounting barriers to public health/park agency partnerships: insights from a county public health department.

Executive Summary: The American Public Health Association (APHA) recently recommended that health professionals partner with park agencies in order to use nature for health promotion. We aimed to 1) determine the capacity of a local public health system to implement the APHA recommendations, 2) test the hypothesis that the likelihood of implementation is associated with health professional knowledge and beliefs, and 3) identify a framework for facilitating implementation. We surveyed all staff members at the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Branch. SFDPH, like many health departments, provides services for underserved and marginalized populations. The results of 108 quantitative surveys and the qualitative analysis from small group discussions with 120 public health professionals are presented in this paper. The majority of those surveyed (81%) agreed that patient health would improve if they spent time in nature. However, few health professionals believed that patients regularly visit parks (11%) or would follow a practitioner’s recommendation to visit a park (16%) in order to experience nature. We found that if public health professionals knew of a specific location and activity to do in nature, and if they were confident that their low income patients would be welcome at parks, they were more likely to recommend a park visit. In group discussions, health professionals showed enthusiasm for collaboration with park agencies, pragmatism that their patients will need multiple supports in order to sustain outdoor behaviors, and a perspective that time in nature for underserved communities is the product of a socioecological system. This socioecological system includes factors to be considered at the individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels. Participants engaged in a rich discussion on how health departments can partner with park agencies and community-based organizations to encourage nature for health at each of these levels.We turned to public health professionals for suggestions about how nature can be integrated into public health systems. The resulting discussions came together in the form of a framework that provides insight on public health priorities, a roadmap for those who seek to initiate interdisciplinary alliances, and suggestions for future research.

Voices of Women of Colour: Dreaming of an Inclusive Outdoor Leadership Environment

Women of colour have gained significant strides in breaking barriers to outdoor participation over the last two decades. However, there is limited research on factors that influence career development and opportunities for outdoor leadership available to women of colour. The goal of this chapter is to provide a holistic understanding through the collective voice of women of colour outdoor educators currently working in the field. Their knowledge and reflections on what has worked in the past, current progress, and perspective of future needs help dispel the myth that women of colour are not interested in the outdoor field; results of this project also promote a sense of belonging whilst encouraging future generations to pursue outdoor leadership careers.