Comments on: Outdoor diversity conference opens in Atlanta

By: Lori Harrod

Lori Harrod — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:15:20 +0000

Thanks for sharing! I am heading to the Outdoor Industry Association Rendezvous next week…seems like there is an excellent opportunity for crossover (or a speaker opportunity). I will check back for more info – and take it with me next week.

By: @JoyTripProject

@JoyTripProject — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:12:33 +0000

Thanks for your comment Lori. I hope to provide more information as the conference unfolds. I had to stop myself from making a terse response to your desire to share information on diversity at the Outdoor Industry Association Rendezvous. The last thing I want to do is alienate my friends and colleagues, but to be frank the OIA and its member companies have done little more than pay lip service to issue of diversity. With the exception of REI who is a sponsor of this event in Atlanta, few companies seem prepared to take proactive steps toward getting more people of color outdoors. Until they begin marking products directly to minority communities or sponsor non-white athletes to endorse their products I feel that any efforts to quietly support urban outreach initiatives will fall short of achieving lasting change. I feel like I just committed professional suicide by even suggesting such a thing. But there it is. Let the debate begin.

By: Lori Harrod

Lori Harrod — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:49:55 +0000

By: DNLee

DNLee — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:18:08 +0000

Hey, I encourage you to list your blog on the Nature Blog Network, if you’re not listed already http://natureblognetwork.com/
It’s a list of nature, outdoor, environmental ed, bird watching, wildlife,hiking and rec -all things outdoors! There are a few blogs listed written by persons of color, but so far I’ve only counted a few.

By: Melanie Schmidt

Melanie Schmidt — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:31:00 +0000

Can't wait to read more!