Content Stats & Analytics for @wherelocsflyfree

Mardi Fuller
@wherelocsflyfree

5,651 followers

When the Maine Association of New Americans @manamaine and Maine AT Land Trust @me_at_landtrust called me up to invite me to participate in their summer program for immigrant youth called #WEOUTSIDE I dropped everything! The program introduces new Mainers to the outdoors, so that they build relationship and familiarity with our beautiful public lands. It’s one of the most progressive and integrated wrap-around initiatives in the conservation and outdoor recreation space that I have come across. It aims to get out ahead of our nations baggage around the historical exclusion of Black people and BIPOC from nature and conservation spaces by showing immigrants that they are fully welcome to enjoy and protect the outdoors. All the while it communicates to them that they belong here in this country because making a place “home” includes nurturing the connection to land and landscape that contributes to wellness and sense of identity. I had the best time leading a group of exuberant youth recently from Angola on a hike along the #appalaciantrail to Table Rock in Grafton Notch yesterday. These kids and their families persevered through unfathomable circumstances to get here- like crossing the Darien Gap on foot. So grateful that I had the chance to meet all of the wonderful people involved and see a visionary collaboration in action. You can donate to MANA’s great work providing all kinds of services and support at mana-maine.org Land of the Abenaki and Wabanaki