Black & Brown Faces in America's Wild Places

Encourage greater diversity in outdoor and wilderness spaces through interviews with 20 African Americans who have strong connections to nature. During his travels around the country as a wildlife photographer, Dudley Edmondson made a concerning observation: He was often the only person of color in many of the wilderness locations he visited. He began asking himself some important questions: “Why am I not seeing many people of color in the parks?” “Where are the voices of African Americans when it comes to decisions about wild spaces?” “Shouldn’t everyone care about the involvement of all Americans in these issues?” The matter was far too important to let go. Instead, Dudley turned it into a project, seeking out African Americans who thrive in the outdoors and asking them about their experiences, passions, and hopes for the future. He spoke with policymakers, park rangers, outdoor sports enthusiasts, educators, and others with nature-centered careers. The result is the groundbreaking book Black & Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places. In these interviews, Dudley explores what first drew each individual to the outdoors, how they became involved with nature, why they value those experiences, and why they believe people of color are underrepresented in this country’s natural landscape. The conversations connect personal stories to broader issues such as social justice, racial prejudice, personal safety, economics, and cultural traditions. “I am honored to share the voices of these insightful individuals and let them explain how these subjects intersect in complex and deeply personal ways,” says Dudley. This 20th Anniversary Edition of Black & Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places features 20 powerful personal narratives from across the United States, told by African Americans with deep ties to the natural world. Each account blends American history with lived experience, offering an intimate look into the life of a unique individual. The portraits are insightful, revealing, and entertaining. They provide a foundation for discussion about the future of our wild places and hopefully encourage people of color to take up the torch of conservation and carry it forward on behalf of all future generations of Americans.