Journalist and author James Mills to speak at Rally

After reading James Mills’ book, The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors, I realized he would be an excellent plenary speaker for Rally 2020. He accepted our invitation and will speak on October 7 at 11 a.m. Eastern / 8 a.m. Pacific.

Mills, who serves on the board of the accredited Ice Age Trail Alliance, is a nature lover who works as a freelance journalist, focusing on stories about outdoor recreation, conservation, charitable giving and sustainable living. Growing up in Los Angeles, he climbed high peaks in the nearby San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains. He also climbed a few routes of vertical rock in Yosemite. He is passionate about mountain climbing as metaphor: “As we overcome the physical obstacles of dangerously low temperatures and high altitude, we not only push past our own physical limits but redefine the way we relate to the world and gain along the way a deeper understanding of ourselves.”

His book makes the point that “Despite a long history of slavery and racial discrimination, African Americans have been directly involved in virtually all aspects of exploration from the very beginning.” The book chronicles “Expedition Denali,” the first majority African American team to attempt to summit the highest peak in North America. “By summiting this high mountain, the members of the Expedition Denali team wanted to show that people of color – African Americans in particular – do in fact have a place in outdoor recreation. The objective was to inspire a new generation of minority youth to seek out and enjoy a relationship with the natural world where they might come to play, pursue career opportunities, and fight for its long-term preservation.”

Mills and the Land Trust Alliance both recognize the need to engage all people in experiencing the joy and freedom of the outdoors and in taking up the banner of conservation. He makes the point, “It’s estimated that by 2042, the majority of U.S. citizens will be nonwhite. Which begs the question: What happens when a majority of the population has neither an affinity for nor a relationship with the natural world?”

I hope you look forward to hearing James Mills as much as I do.

Elizabeth Ward is the vice president of communications at the Land Trust Alliance.