REPLAY: Into The FUTURE: Breaking Down Outdoor Barriers
Join @OutdoorFUTURE and Outdoor Equity Grants leaders, managers, reviewers, and grantees to discuss what the creation of a national Outdoor Opportunity Fund could provide and learn how WE ALL can help contribute to breaking down barriers to outdoor access for all youth and communities.
This was the first event from *Into the FUTURE*, a series of online events hosted by The Outdoor F.U.T.U.R.E. Initiative and dedicated to exploring the facets of outdoor equity, inclusion, and opportunity from diverse perspectives. Our guests and panelists will discuss the Outdoor F.U.T.U.R.E., the importance of outdoor opportunity, the effects of outdoor equity efforts, and their impacts on communities with active equity programs to bring light to the many benefits of and the need for more outdoor opportunity programs in our country.
LIVE ON:
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024 at 12pm PT/3pm ET
ABOUT OUR PANELISTS
Vivianette Ortiz
Vivianette Ortiz is a Latina adventurer, co-founder, and Executive Director of Latinos Aventureros en las Carolinas, an organization that encourages outdoor exploration and community-building. She hails from Patillas, Puerto Rico, a beautiful town nestled between mountains, and beaches. Her advocacy work for Disability Rights North Carolina centers on systemic change through legal advocacy. Vivianette’s passion for nature and community drives her to break down barriers and create opportunities for people to experience the great outdoors. She is committed to advocating for a fair pathway to citizenship in the US and defending basic human rights in the migrant community.
Axie Navas
Before joining The Wilderness Society in 2022, Axie Navas worked as a professional storyteller and state government advocate. In 2019, she founded the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division under the Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham administration. She crafted the office's efforts to increase equitable outdoor access for young people, protect New Mexico's lands and waters, and support the outdoor recreation industry. Before that, she led Outside magazine's digital business as the Digital Editorial Director.
Jack Soto
Jack is Navajo of the Black-Streaked-Wood People (Tsi’naajinii) and Cocopah of the Mountain Lion Clan. He received his M.S. in Organizational Development and B.A. in Political Science in the School of Public Affairs at American University. He served as Director of the Washington Semester American Indian Program – Washington Internships for Native Students at American University in Washington, DC, which was the National Congress of American Indian 2012 Public Leadership award recipient. Currently he works with Tribal Colleges and Universities to support efforts in experiential education and career placement. His work is focused on organizational cross-cultural competency with his career and academic development being greatly influenced by his time with the National Indian Education Association.
Gabaccia Moreno
Gabaccia Moreno is a first-generation multimedia storyteller, consultant, and passionate outdoor advocate. Growing up, visiting the Maya forest gave her an appreciation for the land and its wildlife at an early age. Today she serves as the Executive Director of The Outdoorist Oath, an organization creating educational tools and equipping people to ally planet, inclusion, and adventure. Gabaccia has also served as National Monuments Fellow for Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project, participating in campaigns seeking to make the outdoors more equitable while protecting our shared resources. Gabaccia has also worked as the resident host for the She Explores podcast and a contributor at Backpacker.com. In her free time, you’ll find her outside, probably fishing, hunting, hiking, or backpacking.
