National Geographic Fellow Rue Mapp at the forefront of growing outdoor recreation network

Redlands, CA – The San Bernardino County Museum, the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio, and the San Bernardino Regional Parks are joining together to host the next Dome Talks featuring Rue Mapp, Founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro, Thursday, May 30 at the San Bernardino County Museum.

Outdoor Afro is a social community reconnecting African Americans with natural spaces through outdoor recreational activities. Mapp oversees a carefully selected and trained national volunteer leadership team of 65 men and women who represent 30 cities around the U.S. Through Outdoor Afro, her non-profit organization with offices in Oakland, Rue, as CEO, shares opportunities to build a broader community and leadership in nature. Her important work has generated widespread national recognition and support.

Mapp’s work and op-eds have been featured in publications including The Wall Street Journal, Backpacker Magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times, Ebony Magazine, Outside Magazine, Sunset Magazine, NPR, and many others.

Mapp’s work has also been recognized with numerous awards and distinctions, including: The Root 100 as one of the most influential African Americans in the country (2012 and 2016), Outdoor Industry Inspiration Award, National Wildlife Federation Communication award (received alongside President Bill Clinton), and Family Circle Magazine selected Rue as one of America’s 20 Most Influential Moms. She serves on the Outdoor Industry Association board, the California State Parks Commission, and in 2019 was named a National Geographic fellow.

Cynthia H. Breunig, President and CEO of Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio, said “Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio is thrilled to be partnering with the San Bernardino County Museum for the second year in a row to host this month’s Dome Talk. When I learned Rue Mapp would be the featured speaker, I was delighted. Her passion for the outdoors led her to where she is today and I find that so inspiring. Using technology and social media platforms, Rue Mapp has provided numerous opportunities for communities to enjoy and explore the outdoors, especially African American communities. Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio believes in the importance of getting individuals outdoors and has invested in providing outdoor education programs to communities in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. We hope that bringing Rue Mapp to the San Bernardino County Museum will inspire even more people to go outdoors and reconnect with nature.”

Regional Parks Director Beahta Davis, said “We are truly honored to have this emerging national leader share her story with our county audience. Regional Parks is a treasured resource in our area, and it’s important that we continually connect with new audiences. Outdoor Afro is an initiative that can help us in this effort.”

Museum Director Melissa Russo said “Rue Mapp is one of those rare individuals who confronts head-on an issue that everyone agrees is a problem but no one seems to be able to change. In a very short number of years, she has built a growing network, Outdoor Afro, and is changing behavior on a national scale. The organization’s skillful use of social media to coordinate and promote outdoor experiences is creating a tipping point in encouraging African Americans and others to spend more time recreating in nature.”

The evening will begin with a special pre-reception at 6pm sponsored by the San Bernardino County Museum Association, and Lorenzi Estate Wines. Mapp’s talk starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the evening are $25, no discounts apply for this talk. Tickets are subject to availability as the Dome Talks theater has limited seating. Tickets can be purchased online at www.sbcounty.gov/museum or may be purchased at the Museum’s Guest Services Desk.

Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio: Founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low, Girl Scouts sparked a worldwide movement inspiring girls to embrace, together, their individuality, strength, and intellect. The mission is to “build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.” In 2015, Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council purchased Skyland Ranch in the San Jacinto Mountains to provide an outdoor education experience for girls in the Inland Southern California and Greater Los Angeles regions.

San Bernardino County Regional Parks: The department ensures diversified recreational opportunities for the enrichment of county residents and visitors while protecting the county’s natural, cultural, historical and land resources. The department manages and maintains nine Regional Parks throughout San Bernardino County totaling approximately 9,200 acres. Each park offers diverse outdoor recreation opportunities in settings that range from metro, mountain and desert scenery.

The San Bernardino County Museum’s exhibits of regional, cultural and natural history and the Museum’s other exciting events and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture, and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. Parking for Dome Talks is free. For more information, visit www.sbcounty.gov/museum. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.