Justice Outside

Career development (oei & rlf) - the rising leaders fellowship develops environmental professionals committed to creating inclusive outdoor spaces for all communities. Through immersive learning, mentorship, and project-based work, participants gain the skills to drive meaningful change within their organizations and the broader environmental movement. In 2024, we celebrated remarkable success with 55 fellows completing the program across three cohorts. The outdoor educators institute (oei) is a three-month workforce andprofessional development program for 18-24 year-olds. Participants learn to view outdoor leadership through the lenses of equity and cultural relevancy. Oei participants receive training in topics such as environmental education, group management, and outdoor activities such as sea kayaking and backpacking.

Movement building (n4nl + conference) - launched in 2023 in partnership with the uc berkeley/lawrence hall of science's center for environmental learning, the network for network leaders program has become a catalyst for profound change in environmental justice. This groundbreaking initiative unites diverse environmental leaders who are collectively reimagining and reshaping outdoor spaces to be truly equitable and inclusive. In 2024, we welcomed 12 additional network leaders representing a rich tapestry of environmental workfrom conservation and education to policy advocacy, urban farming, and nature-based healing.

Communications & advocacy - in 2024, our communications and advocacy work laid essential groundwork to amplify our power-building approach and expand our movement impact. This was a pivotal planning year where we set strategic foundations to increase our progress and sustain momentum in advancing racial justice within the outdoor and environmental movements. We launched a comprehensive revamp of our website, which now streamlines our power-building approach and better centers the voices and leadership of black, indigenous, and people of color. The redesigned platform showcases our integrated model of advocate, fund, and build while creating clearer pathways for community engagement. Throughout the year, we established key partnerships and developed strategic frameworks that position us to more effectively advocate in outdoor and environmental philanthropy, ensuring we can continue shifting resources to and building power with the community's leading environmental justice work.