Wild Diversity

Over the past decade, grocery stores have been popping up in neighborhoods traditionally known as food deserts where residents had a lack of access to fresh produce.  The common perception was, if grocery stores were added to these areas, it will help provide healthier dietary habits as opposed to having access only to fast food or processed food.  However, research shows that only by adding grocery stores does not change people’s grocery shopping habits or dietary habits. Why is that?  Food deserts are more common in low income and minority neighborhoods where families are often working multiple jobs, living paycheck to paycheck while having to take care of their kids on their own. Because of this, just by having access to a grocery store with fresh produce is not going to solve the economic inequalities. Communities need fresh healthy food they can actually afford, being paid a livable wage instead of working multiple jobs and the education necessary to put together a nutrit

by Sofia Baum Going into nature can be a complicated and multifaceted experience, pushing us out of our element. For our communities, we get to decide how we further engage with the natural world. As uncomfortable as it can be there is a stronger sense of connection, peace, and purpose that keeps us coming back for more. Curious about other folx's experiences with the outdoors, I inquired about stories of reclamation, philosophies, and guiding principles with Wild Diversity's Adventure Leaders and Youth Ecology Coordinators: Loren (they/ them), Felicia (she/her), Viv (they/them), and myself, Sofia (she/her). Loren and Felicia are Adventure Leaders for Wild Diversity. Loren enjoys leisurely backpacking and Felicia enjoys hiking. The role of Adventure Leaders, as described by Loren, is to facilitate, "...teamwork and expand knowledge to participants so that they can feel empowered and confident to embark on outdoor activities with self-sufficiency." Viv and