Sierra Club
Founded in 1892, the Sierra Club is an environmental advocacy organization with chapters across 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. For more information about the Michigan Chapter, please check out their website!
Detroit Inspiring Connections Outdoors
Detroit Inspiring Connections Outdoors (ICO), an outdoor adventure and environmental education program of the Sierra Club, provides Detroit youth with positive outdoor experiences. Detroit ICO is also excited to be a collaborative member of the Detroit Outdoors youth camping initiative at the city's only campground: Scout Hollow. Our volunteer leaders work in diverse communities with local agencies, such as schools, youth development organizations, church and neighborhood youth groups, and outdoor clubs, to provide wilderness experiences and environmental education for people who otherwise might not have the them. For more information on becoming an ICO volunteer, contact Garrett Dempsey.
OAK Week
Every year, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK) hosts a week of advocacy events in D.C. to push for more equitable access to the outdoors for children and families across the country. Detroit Outdoors was able to travel with five Hamtramck High School students and their teacher, on the Bus for Outdoor Access and Teaching (B.O.A.T.) Bus to Washington D.C. to advocate for increased outdoor access for everyone.
One of the students, Uday Param, spoke on a Closing the Nature Gap panel for emerging leaders in the outdoor field. He talked about his experiences in school and being able to connect what he is learning in class to when he is able to explore nature and go camping.
Nazma Begum, another one of the students on the trip, was awarded the Acorn Award, which is given to youth who exemplify leadership in connecting young people with the outdoors. Nazma, who started the Hamtramck High School Adventure Club and was a teacher/leader in Hamtramck’s Recreation Department’s Summer Playground Program, continues to show a fierce dedication to advocating for outdoor access for her community.
All of these students that went with us on this trip were able to share their stories with politicians about the impact the outdoors has had on their lives and how important it has been to them.
To help support the bills that these students lobbied on Congress for, please call for action on the Environmental Justice for All Act! Thank you for taking action and advocating for outdoor access for all.
