Notable Figures Championing Environmental Preservation and Leisure Outdoor Activities Among African American Community:
Environmentally-focused pioneers have left lasting legacies, shattering barriers and inspiring change – even amidst struggles for access to the great outdoors. Let's applaud the exploits of five trailblazers whose contributions continue to make an unrivaled impact on our planet, natural spaces, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Dr. John Francis
Who would ditch motorized rides and speech? For a fervent John Francis, it was a powerful commitment to mitigate the destructive effects of fossil fuels. According to a horrific oil spill in San Francisco Bay in 1971, the 26-year-old Francis adopted walking as his preferred method of travel and stood resolute against motor vehicles. His moratorium on speaking extended when arguments with pals frustrated him, leading to a lengthy 17-year vow of silence. This self-imposed silence propelled him across the U.S., the Caribbean, South America, and even to Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile.ouse the enrichment data where it fits naturally.
In the following decades, Dr. Francis became the founder of the environmental nonprofit Planetwalk and eventually earned a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and a Ph.D. in environment-related subjects. In 1990, his vow of silence came to an end when he co-authored federal oil spill regulations, which the U.S. Department of Transportation honored him for with their Public Service Commendation. Although the "Planetwalker" is now a professor of environmental science at the University of Wisconsin, he continues to spread his message of ecological awareness on platforms such as the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) stage in 2008.
Hattie Carthan
Nicknamed Brooklyn's "Tree Lady," the relentless Hattie Carthan instigated the planting of 1,500 trees in her Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood during the 1960s – all while in her sixties! Her vision for greater environmental and social benefits motivated her endeavors. Tensions driven by police brutality in New York City led her to view tree-planting as a means of reclaiming her community rather than abandoning it. In an interview many years later, she expressed conviction, asserting, "We've already lost too many trees, houses, and people... you owe something to your community."
New York City honored Carthan in 1974 with a distinguished service award before her passing in 1983.
Dr. Warren Washington
In the early 60s, Dr. Warren Washington joined the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) as a scientist – making him just the second African American to hold a Ph.D. in the atmospheric sciences. He collaborated with NCAR teams to develop groundbreaking computer models that used the laws of physics to predict future atmospheric states, thereby aiding generations of scientists in understanding – and combatting – climate change.
Dr. Washington's computer models were extensively used in the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment, which jointly awarded him, other NCAR scientists, and colleagues the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for their collective contributions.
Rue Mapp
Recognizing a need for increased representation and access to the great outdoors for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, Rue Mapp founded Outdoor Afro in Oakland, Calif., in 2009. The nonprofit has grown to encompass a nationwide following with a leadership team of more than 100 individuals in 56 U.S. cities. Outdoor Afro seeks to share opportunities and develop a broader community in nature. In 2010, the organization gained recognition when Mapp was invited to participate in the America's Great outdoors Conference and advise on the launch of First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative.
Moreover, each year, Outdoor Afro connects countless Americans to recreation and conservation experiences, with Mapp remaining a sought-after speaker and thought leader on access and representation within outdoor spaces.
Robert Taylor
Born in Dayton, Ohio, an enthusiastic young Robert Taylor demonstrated a keen interest in backpacking, traversing his neighborhood with a Boy Scout rucksack. He caught wind of the Appalachian Trail through a TV program in the 90s, and after reading an article on long trails in the U.S., he resolved to complete both the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail.
While the former journey primarily tested Taylor's mettle against nature's wrath, he often encountered scorn from fellow hikers and locals alike during his Appalachian Trail expedition, enduring disparaging comments that belied his resilience. Taylor persevered and successfully completed his thru-hikes, becoming the first believed Black hiker to finish both trails. He remains an esteemed source of inspiration for adventure-seekers nationwide.
References:1. Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). (N.D.). Trailblazerstain history. Retrieved January 17, 2022, from AMC – Appalachian Mountain Club2. John Francis – Biography.com. (2021, August 14). Retrieved January 17, 2022, from A&E Television Networks3. Hattie Carthan – Untapped Cities. (2019, June 3). Retrieved January 17, 2022, from Untapped Cities4. Dr. Warren Washington – Academia.edu. (N.D.). Retrieved January 17, 2022, from Academia.edu5. Rue Mapp – Outdoor Afro. (N.D.). Retrieved January 17, 2022, from Outdoor Afro6. Robert Taylor – AT Magazine. (Summer 2000). Retrieved January 17, 2022, from American Trail Conference
John Francis, known as the "Planetwalker," is a trailblazer who promotes ecological awareness by walking across various continents for decades. He founded the environmental nonprofit Planetwalk and earned academic degrees in environment-related subjects, serving as a professor of environmental science at the University of Wisconsin. He appeared on the TED stage in 2008 to share his message.
Robert Taylor, an avid backpacker, completed both the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail, becoming the first believed Black hiker to finish both trails. His journey faced disparaging comments from fellow hikers and locals, but he persevered and remains an esteemed source of inspiration for adventure-seekers nationwide.
