Trail Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Bay Area Ridge Trail Council is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). We strongly believe that parks and open spaces must be available and accessible to members of all Bay Area communities, and the Ridge Trail is dedicated to doing its part to achieve that objective, now and for future generations. 

Our goal is to have all aspects of our organization reflect the breadth and richness of the diversity of the people of the Bay Area. To that end, we strive for DEI in all aspects of our work, including hiring, retaining, and promoting staff; in recruiting members of the Board of Directors; and in expanding community support for our organization, as well as ensuring that our programs, organizational practices, and partnerships support these priorities.

Our Definitions

Diversity, in our view, is about empowering people by respecting and appreciating what makes them unique and different from one another in terms of such traits and characteristics as age, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and veteran status.  

Equity is about promoting fairness for all our constituents in our internal and external policies, practices and programs.  

Inclusion refers to the behaviors and social norms we engage in to ensure that all our constituents feel that their perspectives are both heard and valued.  

We know that we are at the beginning of an ongoing journey that will include the community, public agency partners, and our own commitment to reflection, learning, and improvement. We hope that you will join us.

Shared Resources

1. Anti-racism in the Outdoors Resource Guide
Joy Trip Project | 2021
Resources related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion of black, indigenous and people of color in parks and greenspaces. 

2. Five Ways to Make the Outdoors More Inclusive
The Atlantic with REI | 2020
This 'Action Plan for Change' outlines how to make the outdoors more inclusive and was formulated from conversations with outdoors experts from around the U.S.

3. A Model for Dismantling Environmental Racism
Bay Nature by Eric Simmons | 2020
Learn how Bay Area nonprofit Literacy for Environmental Justice has worked with youth and nature in San Francisco for two decades.