September 15, 2020 Diversify Your Insta

Do the people showing up in your outdoors-focused Instagram have a rather… homogenous look? Do you want that to change? Then search for the hashtag #diversifyoutdoors, currently 70,000 posts strong.

Diversify Outdoors is also the name of a US-based coalition of bloggers, athletes, activists, and entrepreneurs working to promote the inclusion and representation of people of colour, LGBTQIA+, and other diverse identities in outdoor recreation and conservation, identities which have long been underrepresented in green spaces. Consider that in 2014, only 22% of visitors to US national parks were from minority groups, while they represent nearly 40% of the total US population.

With an audience of 154k on Instagram alone, Diversify Outdoors is harnessing the power of social media to redefine the common understanding of what an outdoor-enthusiast can look like. In addition to promoting equity in outdoor representation and accessibility to nature for all, the alliance takes a body-positive stance, inviting and celebrating people at all skill levels and abilities – from nature novice to seasoned weekend warrior.

Diversify Outdoors’ message extends beyond the digital sphere, where members work with brands and retailers as ambassadors as well as consultants. Coalition members are often featured in nationally distributed magazines, newspapers, podcasts, radio shows, documentaries, and digital media. Many are leaders and organizers within environmental and outdoor recreation organizations, working to bring film festivals, climbing festivals, skydiving events, hiking meetups and more to you.

Photo: rawpixel.com