Everyone Belongs in the Outdoors – Our Foundational Philosophy of Inclusion

Inclusion is foundational to Wilderness Inquiry’s mission to connect people of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and abilities through shared outdoor adventures so that all people can equitably experience the benefits of time spent in nature. Since 1978, Wilderness Inquiry has sought to serve people from all walks of life, including individuals with disabilities, youth from racially, ethnically, and resource-diverse backgrounds, and all others who face structural or systemic barriers to the use and enjoyment of public lands and waters. We remain committed to increasing diversity within our organization and in our outdoor adventure and educational programs. Wilderness Inquiry believes diversity is expressed in a variety of ways, including physical, emotional, cognitive, intellectual, and developmental ability; race and ethnicity; national origin; culture; socioeconomic status; gender identity; sexual orientation; age; and religion.

Wilderness Inquiry believes that people are part of all natural systems and that every person deserves equitable access to the physical, mental, emotional, and societal benefits derived from time spent outdoors. We aspire to be a strong partner in building more equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible outdoor recreation communities for everyone. We acknowledge the structural and systemic barriers that limit access to outdoor spaces for many individuals. We also embrace our role in breaking down the barriers that limit access to the outdoors for all.

To meet this responsibility, we are committed to (a) creating a board of directors and workforce that are representative of the people we serve; (b) fostering an inclusive organizational culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our employees, community members, and partners; and (c) developing and providing programs and services that improve access to the outdoors for all people who have been historically underrepresented in nature-based recreation spaces.