• Cost - The upfront costs of most recreational outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, surfing, rock climbing, etc. make it difficult for people try out and be involved in these activities. 

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• Representation - Of course, many people of color and women do enjoy the outdoors, they are simply not given any representation. Historically, BIPOC communities have not be represented in outdoors spaces because of systemic barriers. The creation of the national parks was not only used as a way to conserve nature, but it was also used as a way for white men to escape the city. Cities were places with large populations of women, queer people, immigrants, and people of color. Additionally, the creation of the national parks made nature harder for people to access and further erased native people, their culture, and history from their land.

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• Experience - Most people assume they have to be skilled and "in-shape" to try out an outdoor activity which stops them from trying it out. It's important inclusive and welcoming to people of all-skill levels, whether that be understanding a person's level of comfortability or using inclusive language. 

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• Access to nature - For many people, they simply do not have access to green spaces. Often times the reason for this is systemic racism. For example, due to racist policies, such as redlining in the 1930's, low-income communities of color do not have access to parks, trees, or any sort of greenery in their neighborhoods. This has an adverse effect on their health and environment. This is an issue of environmental injustice which you can read more about here.

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It's important to remember that access to nature is not equitable. This list highlights the most common barriers to the outdoors, but it is in no way a complete or extensive list.

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