What do we mean by diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility? How often are we faced with the truth that systemic issues are constantly present within the work we do? I realize now what we mean by DEIA isn’t as clear as it seems. The systemic issues present in my work in conservation education and interpretive services is analyzed through an environmental feminist intersectional lens. Aspects of gender, race, class, ethnicity, status, caste, sexual orientation, disability, religion, etc., show up in the outdoors both visibly and invisibly. It’s easy to assume that all people enjoy being in the outdoors, but we always overlook the barriers people face to get there. To believe there is a universal hiker, biker, swimmer, runner, is devaluing and dehumanizing whole human beings who have a unique perspective within the systems we live in.

The uniqueness and authenticity of a black woman holds the truth that black women belong. The uniqueness and authenticity of an indigenous person holds the truth that indigenous people belong. The uniqueness and authenticity of a disabled person holds the truth that all disabilities belong. The uniquenss and authenticity of those from immigrant backgrounds holds the truth that all walks of life belong. We can force DEIA principles in the work force, but we can’t force  uniqueness and authenticity. To believe there is a perfect outdoor recreator is to dismiss the stories that make up the whole spirit of the outdoors and how inequities are present in the lives of those we care to serve. DEIA helps and benefits everyone, even if our stories are not universal, our lives hold both sacredness and beauty. By not recognizing our uniqueness and authenticity, we are doing ourselves a disservice to our communities. There is something incredibly powerful about diversity holding space for agency, transformation, accountability, storytelling, and perseverance.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with students who come from different backgrounds and experiences. Each of their stories holding power and offering reflexivity into their world. The stories I’ve had the honor to listen to and witness during this internship is my testimony that we need to continue to shift the narrative. To assume that people of color don’t access the outdoors dismisses their identity and connection to Nature. All people of color, and historically marginalized groups deserve to recreate safely, and access the outdoors nondiscriminatory. Reimaging recreation is reimaging ourselves in the most authentic way possible. The only way we can reimagine ourselves is by fully embracing all the parts of our shared humanity. We need to start seeing each other as we are, increase diversity in leadership, listen to each other’s stories, and meet the needs of all people in the recreation space for all future generations to come.

My time so far at the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit as a Resource Assistant in Conservation Education has been a rewarding and powerful learning experience for me. I began my interpreting journey over the summer doing the Heavenly Ranger Interpretive Program facilitating hikes with the public. At first learning how to interpret the land isn’t as easy as it sounds. In fact, I learned that interpreting is an art form. Interpretation requires a specific approach to make a difference in your audience and the approach must be relevant, thematic, organized, enjoyable, and purposeful. In the beginning, I was nervous to start doing interpretive hikes with random strangers, but it turned out to be a series of informative and transformative conservation. Interpretive hikes with the public taught me a lot of myself, my values, our individual experiences in the outdoors and our collective responsibility to Nature.

My Resource Assistant internship at the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has given me the chance to take a stroll down memory lane. I first heard of Generation Green when I was a sophomore in high school, and I then applied for the internship program my senior year. Generation Green is a youth conservation internship program focused on helping young local students from different backgrounds get exposed to various job opportunities and careers in the Forest Service. Generation Green focuses on personal and professional development regarding leadership, education, professional development, backpacking, natural resources, land management, service, working alongside various projects and people. The program has reached over 300 students by educating and investing in the upcoming generation of conservation leaders today, tomorrow, and forever.

Alondra Rendon Gomez was born and raised in South Lake Tahoe, CA, and comes from a Mexican immigrant family. Alondra is a first generation college student and the first woman in her family to graduate from college. She is a recent college graduate from the University of California Santa Cruz where she earned her BA in Anthropology. She hopes to continue her passion for research to build a career with the U.S. Forest Service, while striving to continue her education in social and environmental justice. Alondra enjoys hiking, music, art, and writing.

La Tierra y El Agua Que Me Hicieron (The Land and The Water That Made Me)