To the editor:

No, I’m not talking about the muted colors of fall foliage this year.

As an avid hiker in the Adirondacks, I haven’t helped but notice the lack of diversity on the peaks. Coming from Chicago with major historic redlining and a lack of green spaces for BIPOC people, I thought the Adirondacks might be a shared outlet for everyone, but this seems far from the truth. Klarisse Torriente, the first Black Summit Steward in the region, mentions she had never seen a Black ranger, steward or environmental educator growing up, and most of the time, she was the only Black person hiking.

Why is this so? Decades of redlining, the forced movement of BIPOC populations into urban areas following the Great Migration, and the high cost of outdoor equipment, to name a few, have all made outdoor recreation inaccessible to the majority. Not to mention the reality of lynching and stereotypes about people of color in outdoor spaces.

Programs such as Outdoor Afro, Black Hikers Unite, BLK Hiking Club and Black People Who Hike have made great steps to create spaces for Black hikers, but these groups do not typically cover the Adirondack region. A virtual program was set up by The Adirondack Experience titled “Adirondacks for All: Identity & Environmental Justice in the North Country,” but no events have been posted since 2022. However, the Adirondack Diversity Initiative has made great strides to improve outdoor recreation and cultural exchanges for BIPOC individuals. The founder states that “nature is a great unifier,” and I couldn’t agree more. We need more spaces like ADI for BIPOC hikers and educational awareness in the region to make the Adirondacks an inclusive space.

I urge you to support programs such as the Adirondack Diversity Initiative, especially in a time when DEI organizations are being defunded. Reach out to your local officials and demand equal access to outdoor spaces. Your voice can make a difference and lead to a more inclusive and safer hiking experience for all.

Lillard Preschlack

Saratoga Springs