Outdoor Afros Hike Angel Island, CA
Outdoor Afros had a blast last weekend at one of our largest meetups: Hike Angel Island! Hosted by Outdoor Afro Sela Steiger and led by Cliff Sorrell of Trekking for Life, the route ventured around the South Western part of the island, stopping at different sites of historical and cultural relevance.
Among them was the Chapel of Saint Marie at Camp Reynolds, significant for employing African American chaplain Lt. Colonel Allen Allensworth. An interesting figure in California Military history, Allensworth retired from the Army as the highest ranking African American officer in 1906.
Twenty five attendees of Hike Angel Island enjoyed extraordinary views and vantages, a fun ferry ride, and lots of interesting facts about the island and its many uses, past and present. Hikers were also blessed with excellent walking weather-warm and sunny with a nice ocean breeze!
Kayaking the Hiwassee River in a Shower Cap: A Sister's Tale
In March, Shelby Ward went kayaking with her hair-conscious younger sister and fashionista, Rosalyn in Tennessee. Here is their story.
Let me tell you a little bit about my sister. Rosalyn likes fashion. On many occasions, she has added trendy accessories to my wardrobe. Rosalyn also hates “bugs.” So, I was a little surprised when she said she wanted to go kayaking during her visit.
The outfitter we went to gave us a warm welcome, along with two oars and a two-person kayak. “We’re not going to fall in the river,” I told myself, “but let’s leave the phones in the car… just in case.” Rosalyn even brought a shower cap—yes, a shower cap. “Why are you bringing a shower cap?” I asked. “Hey,” she retorted, “I just got my hair flat-ironed… it can’t get wet.” Enough said. We were ready for the Hiwassee!
When we got to the dock, Rosalyn and I got into the kayak. The outfitter pushed our kayak into the water and we were off. We paddled through shallow waters of a few inches and deep waters over 60 feet. The most exciting thing was listening to the river; as we kayaked we could hear upcoming rushing riffles -- and amazingly, Rosalyn managed to keep her shower cap on as we crossed the riffles!
But when we were about 10 minutes away from our landing point, we came to a short waterfall. We tried to direct the kayak and paddle forward. But the force of the water was too great. As we went over the waterfall, we both went overboard.
After we fell in the water, our kayak turned over and our supplies flowed downstream. Many thoughts raced through my mind--"What just happened? -- Where is Rosalyn? -- God help me!"
Rosalyn was okay. She was in the river...with her shower cap still on! I kept asking her if she was okay. “I’m okay,” she said, “Just relax and stay calm.” As I treaded water, I could feel the weight of my wet khakis. I couldn't believe this was happening.
The waterfall ended in a pool no more than 10 feet deep with large rocks on the river bottom. Rosalyn found a rock on the river bottom and stood on it. “Stand on the rock with me,” she said. I didn’t think I could make it, but Rosalyn with her shower cap encouraged me. I made it to the rock and we collected our thoughts. Finally, we managed to turn the kayak over, retrieve an oar, and make it to shore.
Our kayaking journey taught me some things: The Hiwassee River’s depth and power can humble the spirit, and my sister can be strong and courageous in times of trouble… even with a shower cap on.
Shelby Ward is an attorney passionate about conservation, and currently consults with the National Parks Conservation Association in Tennessee. Twitter @sw285
Outdoor Afro is a KEEN Ambassador!
Ranked #1 Hiking Shoe by Outdoor Afros!
What began as a quest for the perfect protective sandal, KEEN Footwear is now a pioneer in both outdoor gear and positive change. Outfitting nature-goers for 9 years, KEEN has always promoted a HybridLife, encouraging nature activity while giving back to our planet and global communities.
In an effort to promote "play" and a general slow down, KEEN has reclaimed recess, providing tools to add a breath of fresh air to every day.
Outdoor Afro is proud to partner with KEEN and applaud them for granting us the ability to navigate nature comfortably and with style! And it's so cool that KEEN has expressed a commitment to connecting diverse audiences to the outdoors. We are so glad to be involved!
Please check out KEEN Footwear and the other KEEN ambassadors!
Rodney Stotts: Brother Falconer
An ancient sport, Falconry is the keeping and training of birds of prey.
Rodney Stotts is a Black falconer from Southeast Washington DC. He is the program director at Raptor and River/Environmental Education in connection with the Earth Conservation Corps along the Anacostia River.
Realizing that his lifestyle was not safe or sustainable, Stotts was drawn to falconry and river conservation as an alternative to jail, or perhaps more likely, death. "I found that my love for the environment and raptors was greater than the love for drug dealing." Stotts explained.
According to Stotts, falconry is important in two ways; it saves the lives of raptors and helps to keep the population healthy, and it crosses all color, socioeconomic, and ethnic barriers. Through his work, he makes the powerful connection between endangered species of all kinds that include the Bald Eagle in DC to local youth who must navigate survival in a stressed community.
The Earth Conservation Corps currently employs its raptors to engage local youth in environmental education activities. Says Rodney, "Falconry can help build character, compassion, and caring. It's importance is immeasurable. It changes lives."
Check out this short video that shares more about his inspiration and passion!
Why Does Environmental Education Matter? A Community Discussion
What is Community? What is Environmental Education?
What are signs of wellness in a community? What are issues that affect community wellness?
EECapacity in collaboration with Outdoor Afro invite you to participate in our:
Community Environmental Education Roundtable
Monday, April 2, 2012
6 pm - 8 pm
2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite G Berkeley, CA 94702
Dinner provided
Limited spaces are available
For more information or to RSVP [email protected]
Come prepared to share, laugh, and listen!
Feel free to bring any program materials, books, curricula, pictures, or props that help tell the story of your work!
EECapacity is working on a set of Community EE guidelines that make statements about the process of educating communities around environmental issues that affect quality of life for participants.
Community EE guidelines aim to encourage sound practices around EE in community settings especially in low income settings where safety and wellness are connected to environmental issues and efforts.
Please help the East Bay join the national conversation around best practices, challenges, solutions and needs around community wellness and Environmental Education.
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Rosie the Riveter Bike Tour -- An Enlightening Ride in an Urban National Park
On a recent bright and beautiful Saturday morning, several folks got together to visit the Richmond Shoreline for a bike tour of California's Rosie the Riveter Memorial and other historic sights hosted by Outdoor Afro Sela Steiger. This was the first of several planned events this year designed to connect people all over the country to our local National Parks.
Invited by two wonderful National Park Rangers, Raphael and Reggie, we learned so much about the historic Richmond area and engaged in compelling conversation about the rich, complex historic diversity surrounding this part of the Bay Area.
We began the tour noticing some memorial plaques and informational engravings at the meet-up point. Then we hopped on our bikes and visited the Ford Assembly Building; a former Model-A factory which now houses Title Nine Clothing, Mountain Hardware, and SunPower's R&D unit, among other new businesses. From this vantage we could also see Shipyard No. 3, the last remaining shipyard from the WWII manufacturing boom of the 1940s.
Back on our bikes, we cruised to the Rosie the Riveter Memorial, an interesting architectural sculpture meant to resemble the hull of a ship. Guided by our expert leaders, the group was encouraged to consider the voices of the “Rosies”; women who worked in these shipyards, representing many of the first African American settlers in the region who fled the Jim Crow South in search of better opportunities.
We talked about the ways in which the increase of civilian labor associated with WWII opened doors for marginalized groups (women, Blacks, and Asian American workers); many of these individuals were accepted into jobs previously denied to them, although often with a cost.
With an emphasis on discovery and critical thought, as well as enjoying the beautiful Richmond Shoreline, the Rosie the Riveter tour proved an enlightening way to spend a Saturday. Check out their website for more information.
Photo Credit: Irene Nexica
Outdoor Afro Participates in White House Conference on Conservation
Outdoor Afro's Rue Mapp had the great pleasure of joining many other outdoor enthusiasts last Friday for the White House Conference on Conservation: Growing America’s Outdoor Heritage and Economy. Held at the Department of the Interior, the conference brought together a labyrinth of nature advocates; from hunters to small business owners, local governments to tribal leaders.
The conference, which included an address by President Obama himself, explored the protection of public lands as well as a conservationist approach to tourism, outdoor recreation, and even job stimulation. The goal of the conference was to promote important networking among environmentally conscious factions and foster partnerships, as well as brainstorm about the future of public lands and waterways. It was especially moving to hear Obama share the importance of the National Parks in his own family, both in the past and presently with his children.
Obama said, "There will always be people in this country who say we’ve got to choose between clean air and clean water and a growing economy, between doing right by our environment and putting people back to work. And I’m here to tell you that is a false choice. That is a false choice. With smart, sustainable policies, we can grow our economy today and protect our environment for ourselves and our children."
According to the White House Blog, President Obama and senior members of his Cabinet will continue to meet with conservation leaders from across the country, working towards more community-driven conservation projects. The Obama Administration also seeks to implement preservation and outdoor recreation initiatives promoting strong local economies and healthy lands, waters, and wildlife.
So grateful Outdoor Afro was there to represent and be involved in this dynamic discussion!
A special Outdoor Afro thanks to Gail Adams, Director Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, and Mickey Fearn, Deputy Director of the National Parks Service for going the extra mile to support our visit!
Lauret Savoy: "The Colors of Nature"
Reposted from To the Best of Out Knowledge
Lauret Savoy believes too many nature writers focus on pristine wilderness and neglect the gritty reality of the places where people actually live - in cities, for instance, maybe even near toxic waste sites. And writing about these places means grappling with difficult questions about race and poverty. Savoy talks with Jim Fleming about her book "The Colors of Nature." LISTEN
You can read two chapters from the book:
“Belonging to the Land” by David Mas Masumoto from The Colors of Nature (Minneapolis: Milkweed Editions, 2011). Copyright © 2002 by David Mas Masumoto.
“Burning the Shelter” by Louis Owens from The Colors of Nature (Minneapolis: Milkweed Editions, 2011). Copyright © 2002 by Louis Owens.
Shared courtesy of Milkweed Editions.
Hug a Tree This Weekend
I never considered myself a tree hugger before, but 150 year-old "Grandfather Beech" changed my mind!
This tree is a resident favorite at Atlanta's Outdoor Activity Center, which houses the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance and Keeping it Wild two organizations that are doing tremendous good to connect Atlantans with nature and conservation right in their own backyard. While holding this tree, I felt the wisdom of its years and the calm of the surrounding forest. If you have never done so before, try hugging a tree this weekend -- then tell us what it did for you!
Outdoor Afro in Atlanta this Week!
Rue Mapp of Outdoor Afro is excited to present in Atlanta this week at Keeping it Wild and at the American Camp Association's (ACA) National Convention! ACA is an education partner of Outdoor Afro, and together they have designed curriculum for their e-institute entitled: Cultivating Camp Relevancy for Diverse Audiences - check it out!
Both events are designed to energize the field of outdoor recreation and camp management around how to engage more diverse audiences with the outdoors.
Click on the image above for more information for the Keeping it Wild appearance, and click here to learn more about ACA.