PROGRAMS
Volunteer Leader Program
In its 15th year, the Volunteer Leader Program (VLP) prepares volunteer leaders to connect and reconnect Black people to nature through planned and guided year-round adventures across the United States. Our competitively selected and trained volunteer leaders share their outdoor expertise, knowledge of civics and history, and love of nature with more than 60,000 people in U.S. communities. Volunteer leaders organize adventures in foraging, fishing, kayaking, gardening, skiing, and other nature activities for our 32 networks located in nearly 60 cities.
Outdoor Afro Leadership Training (OALT) is VLP’s signature experience. This annual training and knowledge-exchange event equips volunteer leaders with risk management and leadership skills so they’re able to safely and sustainably host up to 12 outings a year within their networks and neighborhoods. Heading into its 12th year, OALT provides workshops in risk management, trip planning basics, health impacts of nature, conservation ethics, and effective social media storytelling strategies so that community participants can strengthen relationships to outdoor recreation, education, and conservation. “Outdoor Afro has opened the door for me to engage in nature conservation,” said Julettia Williams, a 62-year-old grandmother and first-time Outdoor Afro Atlanta participant. “I joined this trail activity to learn about invasive plants so I can help teach my grandchildren. I want to make sure they have a decent world to grow up in.”