Justice Outside’s
Policy & Advocacy Priorities
Our advocacy work ensures that community voices inform policy decisions affecting outdoor spaces and the environment. We support our communities in developing the skills to engage with decision-makers and advocate for policies that expand outdoor access, environmental justice and equity.
Indigenous Sovereignty
& Land Rematriation
We recognize that all outdoor spaces exist on Indigenous land and that true environmental justice requires acknowledging this history and supporting Indigenous sovereignty.
Our work in this area includes:
Advocating for policies that protect sacred sites and traditional territories
Supporting Indigenous-led conservation efforts
Promoting land acknowledgment practices and educational initiatives about Indigenous land stewardship
Connecting grantees and program participants with resources for understanding and supporting land rematriation efforts
Green Jobs &
Blue Economies
Environmental career pathways create both ensure perspectives in the field reflect the knowledge and priorities of our communities, and lead to community-wide economic opportunity. By committing to the sustainable application of resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of all ecosystems we are creating opportunities for fulfilling careers and economic advancement.
Our initiatives in this area includes:
Advocating for equitable hiring and retention policies in environmental organizations
Supporting workforce development programs in communities historically underrepresented in green careers
Promoting living wage policies and benefits for outdoor related jobs and conservation workers
Creating connections between our network of grassroots leaders and employers committed to building community representative teams
Healing & Wellness
We know that access to outdoor spaces is fundamentally a public health issue. A lifelong and authentic relationship to the outdoors builds personal resiliencies and provides pathways to increased health outcomes.
Our advocacy in this area includes:
Promoting policies that recognize time in nature as essential for mental and physical health
Supporting initiatives that create safe and welcoming outdoor healing spaces for communities experiencing trauma
Advocating for urban green space development in communities with limited access to nature
Building partnerships with healthcare advocates to develop nature inclusive health and wellness policies
Environmental Education
Environmental education is a powerful tool for creating lasting connections between people and the natural world, fostering environmental stewardship across generations, and building more sustainable communities. We believe this transformative learning should be culturally relevant and accessible to all.
Our advocacy in this area includes:
Supporting policies that fund outdoor education programs in underserved schools
Promoting curriculum development that includes diverse cultural perspectives on nature and connection to the living world
Advocating for multilingual materials and programming on public lands
Creating standards for cultural competency in environmental education
More Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Hubs
Our advocacy infrastructure connects local efforts to national movements and creates spaces for learning, relationship-building, and coordinated action.
We do this through our Advocacy Hubs.
Biennial Conference
Our biennial conference brings together program participants, grantees, funders, and other stakeholders to build relationships and collective strategy for a more equitable outdoor movement.