5 Must-Have Books on Diversifying the Outdoors to Give for the Holidays

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The holiday season brings families and friends together for food, fellowship, and good times. Whether it’s Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or other family traditions, many of us are exchanging gifts and making loved ones in our lives feel special. Here are 5 must-have books that spread the message of diversity in the outdoors you should have on your Holiday shopping list.

The Disabled Hiker's Guide to Western Washington and Oregon

By Syren Nagakyrie, Founder of Disabled Hikers

Syren has been building community and connecting disabled adventurers coast to coast. The Disabled Hikers’ website provides an array of resources, guides, and educational information. Syren took more than two years researching and evaluating trails to bring the greater disabled hiking community The Disabled Hiker’s Guide, one of the first books of its kind. With over 60 trails in Washington and Oregon, this book will prepare you for your next outdoor adventure while addressing all of your accessibility needs. Syren’s guidebook is the perfect stocking stuffer for that special person in your life who wants to know more about accessible trails in the Pacific Northwest.

Melanin Base Camp, Real-Life Adventurers Building a More Inclusive Outdoors

By Danielle Williams, Founder of Melanin Base Camp and Diversify Outdoors

Danielle Williams is the founder of Diversify Outdoors, senior editor and founder of Melanin Base Camp, and co-founder of Team Blackstar Skydivers. A disabled Army veteran, Danielle has channeled her unique perspective into a flourishing online community of like-minded individuals who are proud of their identities and “pushing the boundaries of inclusion and equity in the outdoors”. Her book interviews dozens of BIPOC adventurers and includes a guide to allyship to help advance the conversation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in outdoor spaces. With a collection of engaging pictures and inspiring stories, Melanin Base Camp, Real-Life Adventurers Building a More Inclusive Outdoors will grace coffee tables across the country in 2023. Grab a few copies. This is a book you will want to keep for yourself, as well as give away. Copies are available for pre-order, today.

Fatima's Great Outdoors

By Ambreen Tareeq, Founder of Brown People Camping

Fatima’s Great Outdoors is a children’s book authored by Ambreen Tariq with illustrations by Stevie Lewis. The book follows Fatima Khazi and her family on their first camping trip at a local state park capturing the wonder and excitement of Fatima in a way that is sure to please your young explorer. Ambreen is an Indian-Muslim-American and founding member of Diversify Outdoors. She uses her platform to advocate for greater diversity, equity, access, and social justice in the outdoors. Her children’s book is the ideal gift for adventurous families who want to cultivate a love of the outdoors and an understanding of diversity with their young explorers.

She Explores, Stories of Life-Changing Adventures on the Road and in the Wild

By Gale Straub (She Explores)

Gale is the host of the She Explores podcast. Through her website, she creates a inclusive platform and shares space with people of diverse backgrounds who love travel and the outdoors. Her book, She Explores, combines the first-person stories of 40 women, their photographs, and artwork into an empowering collection that is sure to inspire the divine feminine inside of the reader. Purchase a copy for an outdoorsy woman you know.

Overland Digital Nomadism | A Guide to Vanlife & Making Money on the Road

By Dustin Grevemberg, Co-Founder of Irie to Aurora and Diversify Vanlife

Dustin and his partner, Noami, have been full time vanlifers for more than seven years. During their travels, they’ve ran into every scenario and outcome possible. In Overland Digital Nomad, Dustin uses his first-hand knowledge of the nomad way of life to provide the reader with the secret to living a “dream” life on the open road. Whether you’re planing on living the vanlife or just looking to learn more about digital nomadism, this book will be a great addition to your adventure library. 



Shi-Lynn CampbellComment