Diversity in Minnesota's outdoors? Share your story

May 12—The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with Share the Mic Minnesota, is starting a social media campaign to encourage diversity, equity and inclusion on Minnesota's public lands and waters.

#MyMNOutdoorAdventure will launch May 15, just in time for the state's general fishing opener.

Minnesotans of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to share their stories and photos about fishing, hunting, camping and other outdoor activities by uploading them to the DNR's website at dnr.state.mn.us/aboutdnr/outdoor-adventure. The DNR will then feature these stories and photos on its Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts and on its website.

"Diversity, equity, and inclusion are priorities for the DNR. Amplifying diverse perspectives is an important part of our efforts," said Sarah Strommen, DNR commissioner, in a statement announcing the effort. "These shared stories will increase the visibility of diverse voices and experiences in the outdoors."

Increasing the visibility of a diversity of people in the outdoors is important because people of color have deep personal connections to the outdoors that should be acknowledged and shared, said Jasmine Brett Stringer, founder of Share the Mic Minnesota.

"We know that representation is important and impactful because it affects how people of color view themselves and how others view them," Stringer said. "Positive representation of minority groups helps diminish prejudices and biases and it plants seeds of what's possible to people of color. Minnesota's outdoor recreational spaces make Minnesota more livable for all people."