Established by Tenisha Malcolm-Wint in 2020, Outdoors On Purpose (OOP) is a hiking commUNITY developed to encourage all people to find respite and joy in the outdoors with particular emphasis on Black & Brown people. With a mission to create unique and memorable experiences for all people, OOP promotes the relationships between people and nature.

Four key pillars of OOP are to:

• Educate: create and support educational opportunities that expose individuals to nature and make to connections to mental health benefits; wellness; trail navigation, plant identification, hiking guidance, birding, and the history of land

• Engage: opportunities to intentionally create safe community space
• Encourage: creating space for participants to have fun; make rom for joy; reflect; assume good intent; and learn about others
• Explore: creates opportunities for individuals to see and experience new outdoor spaces in the Tri-state area and beyond

I don't currently have a website but its under development. Folks can follow @outdoorsonpurpose on Instagram and Facebook. I am also reachable by email [email protected]