The Black & Brown Faces in America's Wild Places: African Americans Making Nature and the Environment a Part of Their Everyday Lives

by Dudley Edmondson

The author sought out 20 other African Americans with deep connections to nature and asked them about their experiences. These personal profiles are not only interesting but also provide insight into the past, present and future practices for our environment.

Genres: Nature

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2006

Reviews

[Tamara Evans]

An educational, informative and inspiring book showcasing 20 African Americans and other people of color regarding their experiences interacting with nature. The book profiles each person of color and ask such questions as their background, how they became involved,what they do outdoors, as well as why they believe people of color are nearly absent from the country’s natural landscape.

The book provides contributions from people of different ages and backgrounds and also introduces the reader to the concept of black park rangers and black falconers. I finished reading this book with a goal to start exploring national parks on a more consistent basis.

[Jamie]

This book includes several great profiles on African-American people (and a few Latinos and one Native American) who have made careers out of environmental jobs or protecting public lands. The profiles are nice; the photography is beautiful. But I wish it had a little more discussion about WHY people of color are less likely to outdoor recreation and activism.

[LauraEllen]

So good! So affirming. Published in 2006, I had to keep myself from Googling each participant to see where they are today.(will do that in a minute!) I want to know more about social media’s influence on African-American engagement with the outdoors. @blackgirlshike@blackgirlsdobike@waterfall.hunter@bicycle_nomad and so many, many more all sharing the gospel of the outdoors!!