California Agencies Partner with Black-Led Groups to Expand Outdoor Access

Black conservation and environmental organizations work to restore generational connections to nature

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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For generations, Black Americans have been underrepresented in outdoor spaces and public lands. But Black-led organizations like Outdoor Afro and Black Girls Hike are reclaiming these spaces, creating welcoming experiences and pathways for Black communities to reconnect with nature. Meanwhile, California state agencies are working to diversify the workforce managing public lands and make them more inclusive for all Californians.

Why it matters

This partnership between Black-led groups and state agencies aims to address the historical exclusion of Black Americans from outdoor spaces and public lands. By creating more access, representation, and a sense of belonging, these efforts seek to restore the deep, generational connections that Black communities have always had with the natural world.

The details

Black-led organizations like Outdoor Afro and Black Girls Hike are hosting hiking clubs, stewardship programs, and career pathways to help Black Californians feel welcomed and empowered in public lands. Meanwhile, the California Natural Resources Agency is working to diversify the workforce managing these spaces and actively inform the public about access. The goal is to ensure these outdoor spaces are inclusive for all Californians.

  • The California Natural Resources Agency hosted a Black History Month webinar in February 2026 to highlight this partnership.
  • The 40 Acre Conservation League, California's first Black-led land trust, recently received $2.7 million in state funding to acquire over 650 acres of forest near Lake Tahoe.

The players

Outdoor Afro

A national organization founded nearly two decades ago that creates welcoming outdoor experiences led by trusted community members, with the goal of reconnecting Black people with nature.

Black Girls Hike

A movement that began in Baltimore, Maryland and has grown to have a strong presence across California, creating safe and affirming hiking spaces for Black women.

Brandon Littlejohn

The chief of talent acquisition for California State Parks, working to ensure Black Californians are not only visitors in public lands, but also leaders and decision-makers shaping their future.

Jade Stevens

The founder of the 40 Acre Conservation League, recognized as California's first Black-led land trust, which has acquired over 650 acres of forest in the Sierra Nevada with state funding.

Rue Mapp

The founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro, who emphasizes that Black people have long traditions of connecting with nature, and that Outdoor Afro is simply a "reconnector" of those deep, generational relationships.

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What they’re saying

“So often, the story of Black people is told through a lens of pain and peril. But Black people have long traditions of fishing, hunting, camping, gardening — even in the worst of times.”

— Rue Mapp, Founder and CEO, Outdoor Afro (lafocusnews.com)

“When people are welcomed back into public lands through experiences that are respectful and rooted in shared responsibility, something beautiful happens.”

— Rue Mapp, Founder and CEO, Outdoor Afro (lafocusnews.com)

“The more someone sees themselves, the more likely they are to show up, keep coming back, and invite others with them.”

— Asia B., Leader, Black Girls Hike (lafocusnews.com)

“Inclusive workforce builds trust. When visitors see staff and leaders who look like them, who understand the culture, the language, and the history, it sends a clear message: you're welcome here.”

— Brandon Littlejohn, Chief of Talent Acquisition, California State Parks (lafocusnews.com)

What’s next

The 40 Acre Conservation League plans to use its $2.7 million state grant to expand outdoor opportunities and recreational access, particularly for communities that have historically faced barriers.

The takeaway

This partnership between Black-led organizations and California state agencies represents a significant step towards restoring the deep, generational connections that Black communities have always had with the natural world. By creating more access, representation, and a sense of belonging in public lands, these efforts aim to reframe what it means for Black Californians to be outdoors - not as guests, but as inheritors, caretakers, and architects of the future.