What’s the Problem?

We believe that in the west, there is a shortfall of participation and engagement for People Of Colour within nature and the outdoors, due in part to a lack of authentic representation.

Limited access, as well as gaps in the knowledge that is often taken for granted by the current custodians, also contribute to the lack of diversity currently seen in outdoor culture. This can impact on a person’s ability to feel safe when accessing rural spaces, which in turn leads to a lack of belonging. This is often cited as the main reason people from non-White Western backgrounds fail to engage with the outdoors.

For the purpose of this report we focus on diversity and inclusion in outdoor activity along the lines of race and ethnicity. We do this while also recognising that both these terms are in fact social constructs and loaded labels, with no basis in scientific fact.

Our report defines some of the key issues at play in order to provide greater context to the conversation, from which we can find ways to address the barriers and problems that are only now beginning to be analysed.

The ‘Beyond Representation’ report includes the views of community leaders and leading figures from Patagonia, TNF, Adidas, Arc'teryx and Greenpeace, as well as giving practical steps on how brands can be committed to Anti-Racism on-line.

The Outsiders Project is an independent platform through which we promote inclusion and diversity within the culture and community of the Outdoors.

We offer a credible voice for brands and organisations who want to make change. Pushing positive reflections of people of colour, we aim to exposed and break barriers to open spaces to the whole community by addressing race, ethnicity and ability, but also wider disparities that prevent people from enjoying the natural world.