Land Use, Land Back, Integrating Humans into Natural Spaces: Sergio Avila

In this episode, host Verna NezBegay Volker is joined by Sergio Avila, a trail runner and conservation scientist turned outdoor advocate, with a focus on diversifying the outdoors. Through his efforts as an Outings Program Coordinator for the Sierra Club and current board member of Alianza Tecuani, as well as his past work on the board of the Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC), Avila’s advocacy work helps to decolonize our relationship with the land and bring communities of color and others who are marginalized into outdoos spaces. From interrogating how we can respect the land by integrating Indigenous ways of knowing to expanding the inclusion of outdoor outings for people of color and those with less access to designated nature parks, this episode dismantles preconceptions that the outdoor recreation space is just for those who are part of "outdoor culture." Sergio discusses his running journey, the Land Back Movement, why he refers to himself as a "recovering conservationist," and the culture of outdoor recreation—and he shares the beautiful experiences of caring for Toby the tortoise. EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast EARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com Our Season 3 Presenting Sponsor Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com Mentioned in this Episode Sergio Avila: @sergio_concolor Toby the Turtle: @tobydetucson Sierra Club: sierraclub.org Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC): runningdiversity.com Alianza Tecuani, Instagram: @AlianzaIndigenaSinFronteras Alianza Tecuani, information: givenative.org/organization/AlianzaTecuani EARTHMOVERS Hosts Verna NezBegay Volker: Runner, mother, community builder, public speaker, and racial equity activist from the Navajo Nation, Volker is the founder of Native Women Run, an organization that began as a virtual community and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. @hozhorunner4 Alison Mariella Désir: Runner, mountain climber, mother, community builder, and racial equity activist, Désir is the author of the groundbreaking book Running While Black and the host of the award winning PBS TV show Out and Back with Alison Mariella Désir. @alisonmdesir Stefanie Flippin: Professional ultra trail runner, running coach, podcaster, writer, racial equity activist, and a foot and ankle surgeon, Flippin is the 2021 USATF 100-mile road champion and course record holder, and she’s the 6th fastest all-time American woman at the 100-mile distance. @stefanieannflippin