Rising Routes is a people first organization.
We believe people are the planet’s first defense against ourselves - and that saving the planet requires us to collectively redefine our identity and the systems through which we live. We leverage scientific research, collaboration, and creative storytelling to facilitate personal and systemic transformation.
Environmental Stewardship
Feeling connected to your local environment ignites curiosity to learn and a passion to protect it. We believe in science and experiential learning, and aim to empower communities with immersive educational experiences and tangible pathways to becoming involved in environmental issues. Our goal is to ignite holistic change under individual, community, and systemic scales by: 1) facilitating inclusive, professional quality outdoor programs that celebrate diverse ways of being in the outdoors while building confidence, humility, and engaged thinking; 2) increasing access to green spaces through policy development and partnership building to help support vibrant, healthy, and connected communities; and 3) creating pathways to learn about conservation, take part in local government and nonprofit boards, and engage in local, regional, and statewide initiatives and coalitions.
Social
Justice
An oppressive, othering system cannot unite to save the planet. The roots of social injustice run deep in the U.S., where Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities have faced centuries of systemic racism and discriminatory practices - from forced removal to redlining. We are particularly focused on the many ways minority group neighborhoods are disproportionately impacted by shortages of clean water, air, and land - a “climate gap” that will only continue to grow in coming decades without active intervention. We envision a system in which the seats and experience of power, privilege and human respect are shared between all races, gender identity, and intersectionality. Our goal is to contribute to a shift away from prejudice, injustice, and inequity by creating inclusive, culturally relevant pathways for civic engagement and collective action.
Mental Health and Wellness
Maintaining mental wellness is vital for taking on the work of social change and environmental resilience. In order to build a more socially and environmentally healthy society, we must first do the internal work of recognizing and healing our individual and shared traumas - to discuss one without the other is insufficient. We believe that the lasting intersectional relationships required for building a better system are best laid on a foundation of active empathy, deep listening, and collective healing. Our goal is to contribute to the healing and health of marginalized communities and ultimately the broader population by providing access to high quality, affordable mental wellness tools and wilderness therapy variations. With these tools, we can begin to build empathy, relationships, and actionable skills to bring about the positive change our world needs.