US Promoting Equitable Access to Nature in Nature-Deprived Communities

Ensuring that all Americans have access to safe natural areas.

The MOU aims to enhance the capacity of federal agencies to support community-driven conservation and park projects in nature-deprived communities. These communities, often Black and characterized as disadvantaged, typically lack equitable access to natural areas essential for climate mitigation and human health benefits, due to exclusion and divestment. Targeted investments for parks, urban forests, conservation areas, open spaces, water-based recreation areas, public gardens, tree canopy cover, beaches, waterways, and other accessible green and blue spaces, have a particular emphasis on improving access for Black communities and other historically marginalized groups.

The White House Council on Environmental Quality will convene the new Nature in Communities Committee, including representatives from various Federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, and others. These agencies are committed to collaborating and supporting local leaders in creating and maintaining natural spaces. This initiative builds on the May 2021 Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful Report, emphasizing the need to support nature-deprived communities, particularly those affected by extreme heat and flooding due to climate change, with a focus on equitable access for Black people. One prominent study by the Center for American Progress and the Hispanic Access Foundation in 2020 found that 74 percent of Black people in the U.S. live in nature-deprived areas, defined as places that lack easy access to parks, green spaces, or other natural areas. Given that the U.S. Black population is estimated to be around 41.6 million (based on 2020 census data), this would imply that approximately 30.8 million Black people in the U.S. live in areas without adequate access to green spaces.

To support efforts fostering equitable access to nature, more than 30 existing Federal programs will promote locally-led park system planning, public transit improvements, tree planting, and water access expansion. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act will provide over $12.4 billion to aid nature-deprived communities. These targeted investments are particularly significant for Black communities, who have historically faced barriers to accessing natural spaces, impacting their health and well-being.

These efforts align with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, aiming to deliver 40 percent of climate and clean energy investment benefits to disadvantaged communities. By prioritizing equitable access to nature, these initiatives seek to address the long-standing disparities faced by Black people and other marginalized groups, ensuring that they too can enjoy the health and recreational benefits of natural spaces. This approach not only promotes environmental justice but also supports local economies and community resilience.

Together, these actions reflect a historic commitment to equitable access to nature for all Americans, particularly Black communities.

Analysis

Does the policy solution re-distribute power from mainstream institutions to impacted Black community?   

The policy solution does re-distribute power from mainstream institutions to impacted Black communities by promoting equitable access to nature in nature-deprived communities. The memorandum involves ten federal departments and agencies working collaboratively to invest in and support local leaders and community-led initiatives. This approach empowers Black communities by providing resources and support to develop and maintain safe parks, natural areas, and waterways, ensuring they have a say in how these spaces are created and managed.

Does this policy address needs impacting diverse groups within Black communities (Black femmes, Black LGBTQ+ communities, Black immigrants, people in poverty, differently abled, people impacted by justice system)? If so, how?  

If implemented correctly, maybe. By focusing on equitable access to natural spaces, the initiative aims to provide safe and inclusive environments for all individuals. The engagement of various federal agencies seeks to ensure that different aspects of community needs are considered, from environmental justice to public health and safety, which could benefit the diverse groups within Black communities.

Does this policy provide more decision-making power at the hands of Black communities?  

The policy aims to provides more decision-making power to Black communities by fostering local leadership and community involvement in planning and implementing park and natural space projects. The initiative aims to build capacity in nature-deprived communities to drive their own planning, acquisition, development, operations, and maintenance of parks and green and blue spaces, including support for neighborhood project developers, coordinators, and community organizers, workforce training, and park and green and blue space programming that benefits current residents.

Increased decision-making power is also associated with providing opportunities for residents to experience the benefits of local parks and green and blue spaces through, as appropriate, youth and conservation corps, outdoor education programs, Tribal co-stewardship initiatives, Indigenous Knowledge sharing, sustainable recreation activities, community science programs, community-based conservation and urban agriculture projects, and other activities that support shared learning and collaborative planning.

The Nature in Communities Committee, along with the support of over 30 federal programs, promotes locally-led initiatives, ensuring that the voices of Black communities are central to decision-making processes. This collaborative effort between federal and local entities enhances the capacity of Black communities to influence and shape their environments.

Does the policy undermine extractive economies like capitalism and restore community power around a local and regenerative economy/ primary production?

While the policy does not explicitly undermine the extractive economy, it does promote a more equitable and sustainable approach to community development. By focusing on creating, expanding, and maintaining green and blue spaces, the initiative supports a regenerative economy that prioritizes environmental conservation and community well-being. The initiative seeks to improve accessibility to parks and green and blue spaces, especially in congested areas in proximity to schoolyards, places of worship, and community centers, with a focus on safe routes to natural areas, including sidewalks, transit stops, and multi-modal access points This shift towards local and regenerative economies helps restore community power and promotes long-term sustainability.

Does the policy repair past harm and uphold civil and human rights, health and environmental protections?

The policy aims to repair past harm and uphold civil and human rights, health, and environmental protections by addressing the historical lack of access to nature for Black communities. The memorandum acknowledges the disparities in access to natural spaces and seeks to rectify these inequities through targeted investments and support. By ensuring that disadvantaged communities receive a significant portion of the benefits from climate and clean energy investments, the policy upholds the principles of justice and equity, contributing to the overall well-being of Black communities. One way this is happening is in the promotion of community-driven vacant lot and site remediation projects, strategic tree planting, public garden and urban agriculture availability, ecological restoration activities, climate resilience investments, and cultural interpretation programs to foster greater commitment to and co-stewardship of parks and green and blue spaces.

Does this policy provide more decision-making power at the hands of Black communities?  

The policy aims to provides more decision-making power to Black communities by fostering local leadership and community involvement in planning and implementing park and natural space projects. The initiative aims to build capacity in nature-deprived communities to drive their own planning, acquisition, development, operations, and maintenance of parks and green and blue spaces, including support for neighborhood project developers, coordinators, and community organizers, workforce training, and park and green and blue space programming that benefits current residents. Increased decision-making power is also associated with providing opportunities for residents to experience the benefits of local parks and green and blue spaces through, as appropriate, youth and conservation corps, outdoor education programs, Tribal co-stewardship initiatives, Indigenous Knowledge sharing, sustainable recreation activities, community science programs, community-based conservation and urban agriculture projects, and other activities that support shared learning and collaborative planning.  The Nature in Communities Committee, along with the support of over 30 federal programs, promotes locally-led initiatives, ensuring that the voices of Black communities are central to decision-making processes. This collaborative effort between federal and local entities enhances the capacity of Black communities to influence and shape their environments.

Does the policy undermine extractive economies like capitalism and restore community power around a local and regenerative economy/ primary production?  

While the policy does not explicitly undermine the extractive economy, it does promote a more equitable and sustainable approach to community development. By focusing on creating, expanding, and maintaining green and blue spaces, the initiative supports a regenerative economy that prioritizes environmental conservation and community well-being. The initiative seeks to improve accessibility to parks and green and blue spaces, especially in congested areas in proximity to schoolyards, places of worship, and community centers, with a focus on safe routes to natural areas, including sidewalks, transit stops, and multi-modal access points This shift towards local and regenerative economies helps restore community power and promotes long-term sustainability.

Does the policy repair past harm and uphold civil and human rights, health and environmental protections?

The policy aims to repair past harm and uphold civil and human rights, health, and environmental protections by addressing the historical lack of access to nature for Black communities. The memorandum acknowledges the disparities in access to natural spaces and seeks to rectify these inequities through targeted investments and support. By ensuring that disadvantaged communities receive a significant portion of the benefits from climate and clean energy investments, the policy upholds the principles of justice and equity, contributing to the overall well-being of Black communities. One way this is happening is in the promotion of community-driven vacant lot and site remediation projects, strategic tree planting, public garden and urban agriculture availability, ecological restoration activities, climate resilience investments, and cultural interpretation programs to foster greater commitment to and co-stewardship of parks and green and blue spaces.