Assessing Equity in Nature
Access to nature and green space is unequally attainable in Metro Denver as in many places throughout the United States. Developed over the course of 2021 - 2023, the Metro Denver Nature Alliance (Metro DNA) worked with a wide range of partners to create a Regional Equity Assessment that, along with a Regional Conservation Assessment, together, form the basis for an equity-centered, evidence-based regional vision for people and nature. This Equity Assessment identified and evaluated the key barriers to accessing nature for Metro Denver residents using a research- and experience-based approach that honors lived experience. Click here to learn more about the Regional Equity Assessment.
Represented in the symbol on the right and noted below are the Six Dimensions of Equity in Nature as defined by the Equity Task Force that help identify and define opportunities for greater progress in supporting equity in nature.
Advance Environmental Justice
Past and present environmental harm is healed by highlighting and disrupting patterns of oppression against marginalized racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups; and by repairing and rebalancing the disproportionate share of negative environmental consequences they face.
Nurture Connection
Relationships between people and nature are reframed and characterized by reciprocity, integrity and respect. All people share the opportunity to experience caring for nature, and feeling connected to, belonging in, and safe in nature.
Diversify Leadership
Marginalized racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups have opportunities to make decisions about how nature is accessed and managed. This includes participation in nature-related policy making and programming; inclusive practices in recruitment, hiring, and retention; as well as equal access to environmental education and leadership opportunities.
Ensure Easy Access
People in urban areas (particularly communities of color and low income communities) have opportunities to access nature, including green spaces, parks, trees and natural areas, both close to home and afar, in order to realize the many physical and mental health benefits that nature provides.
Enable Accessibility
Safe physical access to and enjoyment of natural environments are available to all people, regardless of cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, sensory, or linguistic abilities.
Design for Wellbeing
All people, particularly marginalized racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups, experience positive social and physical environments that promote good health and the potential to thrive. Through integrated land use planning and investment in interrelated infrastructure systems —housing, transportation, jobs, quality education, healthy food, and health care— we expand opportunity overall, including access to and enjoyment of nature, and all Social Determinants of Health.