Are you interested in outdoor recreation and environmental conservation? Join us for an evening with James Edward Mills, a National Geographic Explorer and photographer with over 20 years of experience. He’ll be discussing his book, The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors, which was named by Outside Magazine as one of the 10 “Outdoor Books that Shaped the Last Decade.” As a freelance journalist and an independent media producer with a career that spans more than 20 years, he specializes in sharing stories about outdoor recreation, environmental conservation, acts of charitable giving, and practices of sustainable living. He has worked in the outdoor industry since 1989 as a guide, outfitter, independent sales representative, writer, and photographer. This event is co-hosted by Latino Outdoors and Justice Outside.
James will also provide a preview of his upcoming project titled The Black American Traveler’s Guide to Our National Parks – an illustrated tour through America’s historic sites and monuments, highlighting the role that people of color have always played in the formation of the United States.
This event will also feature panelist and moderator, Jose Gonzalez, Founder of Latino Outdoors and Co-Founder of the Outdoorist Oath. Panelist Kim Moore Bailey, President and CEO of Justice Outside, will provide a perspective on bringing racial equity to the outdoors through the organization’s outdoor education, training, and grantmaking work in the Bay Area and beyond.
In Person Event: Sunday, May 21st at the Hillsdale Theater in San Mateo. This free event begins at 3:00 pm. Doors open at 2:30 pm. Our COVID-19 Policy will be that masks are required for all guests for this indoor event.
Virtual Event: Community members can participate for free in the online broadcast that will occur simultaneously, or to watch a recording that will be available through midnight, Sunday, June 4th.
Timeline:
2:30 P.M. Doors open
3:00 P.M. Event starts
4:45 P.M. Book signing, books available for purchase for $20, cash only
5:00 P.M. Event ends, book signing will go on until 5:30 P.M.
Register below for the in-person event at the Hillsdale Main Theater on Sunday, May 21:
Register below to participate in the free, virtual event
“Mills took THE ADVENTURE GAP beyond the scope of a traditional expedition narrative, exploring the reasons for the glaring outdoor cultural divide and noting that bridging that gap would help people and the planet.”
About Our Speaker: James Edward Mills
James Edward Mills is a 2014 Fellow of the Mountain & Wilderness Writing Program of the Banff Centre in Alberta, Canada and the 2016 recipient of the Paul K. Petzoldt Award For Environmental Education. As a freelance journalist and an independent media producer in a career that spans more than 20 years he specializes in sharing stories about outdoor recreation, environmental conservation, acts of charitable giving and practices of sustainable living. He has worked in the outdoor industry since 1989 as a guide, outfitter, independent sales representative, writer, and photographer. He is the author of The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors, which was named by Outside Magazine as one of the 10 “Outdoor Books that Shaped the Last Decade.” James is also the co-writer/co-producer of the documentary film “An American Ascent.”
With skills in audio storytelling James’ radio production credits include Wisconsin Public Radio, the Public Radio Exchange, American Public Media’s Marketplace, and the Public Radio International programs To The Best of Our Knowledge and The Tavis Smiley Show.
In recognition for his work in sharing the important history and legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers and their efforts at the dawn of the National Park Service James was named a Yosemite National Park Centennial Ambassador in 2016.
As a faculty assistant at the University of Wisconsin Nelson Institute For Environmental Studies, James teaches a summer course for undergraduate students on diversity, equity and inclusion in outdoor recreation and public land management called Outdoors For All. James lives in Madison, Wisconsin with his wife Shamane Mills and two lovable dogs, Sasha and Mikalea.
Panelist and Moderator: José González
José G. González is the Founder of Latino Outdoors and Co-Founder of the Outdoorist Oath. He is a professional educator with training in the fields of education and conservation while engaging in different artistic endeavors with art and messaging—often exploring the intersection of the environment and culture. As a Partner in the Avarna Group and through his own consulting, his work focuses on Equity & Inclusion frameworks and practices in the environmental, outdoor, and conservation fields. He is also an illustrator and science communicator.
He received his B.A at the University of California, Davis, and his M.S at the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources & Environment. His teaching coursework was at the Bilingual, Multicultural, Education Department at Sacramento State.
He serves as a Trustee for the National Outdoor Leadership School, a Trustee for the National Recreation Foundation, and Outdoor Industry Association Board Director, among other such leadership volunteer roles.
You can connect with him on social media @JoseBilingue. Puns welcomed.
Panelist: Kim Moore Bailey (she/her)
With over 25 years of experience in strategic planning and community engagement, Kim Moore Bailey provides the leadership and vision that drives Justice Outside’s work, shifting resources to, building power with, and centering the voices and leadership of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to advance racial justice and equity in the outdoor and environmental movement.
As President and Chief Executive Officer of Justice Outside, Kim guides the overall strategic direction for the organization and supports the leadership team as they manage the organization’s grantmaking portfolio, training and capacity-building programs and on-going advocacy work.
Kim is a frequent speaker and thought leader on topics related to racial equity and inclusion in the outdoor and environmental fields. As a facilitator, she has supported many individuals and organizations in thinking about equitable access to nature and designing outdoor spaces and programming that supports this goal.
Prior to Justice Outside, Kim was a Vice President with Outward Bound where she supported their city-based programs and she was the Mayoral appointee as the Manager for Denver Parks and Recreation.
Kim serves on the Board of Directors for the Children & Nature Network, The Redford Center, The National Recreation Foundation, and the Blue Sky Funders Forum.
About the Partners
Peninsula Open Space Trust has preserved over 86,000 acres of open space in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. The landscapes POST protects and care for enhance the lives of residents and visitors, ensure a vibrant future for wildlife and benefit our local economy.
Latino Outdoors’ mission is to inspire, connect, and engage Latino communities in the outdoors and embrace cultura y familia as part of the outdoor narrative, ensuring their history, heritage, and leadership are valued and represented.
Justice Outside Justice Outside advances racial justice and equity in the outdoor and environmental movement. We shift resources to, build power with, and center the voices and leadership of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color because the health of current and future generations demands it. We envision a just world where Black, Indigenous, and Communities of Color experience safety, health, and abundant joy through meaningful relationships with one another and the outdoors.
Directions to the Hillsdale Main Theatre
The Hillsdale Main Theatre is located within Hillsdale High School, 611 31st Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403. Free parking. The parking lot on 31st Street will be the closest. Please refer to the image below to find alternative parking lots and the location of the theatre on campus. Please note: there are two theatres located within the high school. The event will be at the MAIN theatre.
Accessibility
- ADA parking is available in the lot
- Bathrooms are available in the theatre
From San Francisco:
- Travel south on Interstate 280; take exit 10 – W Hillsdale Blvd; right on W Hillsdale Blvd; left on 31st Ave; travel east to theater parking lot
- OR Travel south on U.S. Route 101; take exit 11 – Alameda De Las Pulgas; left on Alameda de las Pulgas; right on 31st; travel west to theater parking lot.
From San Jose:
- Travel north on Interstate 280; take exit 10 – W Hillsdale Blvd; right on W Hillsdale Blvd; left on 31st Ave; travel east to theater parking lot
- OR Travel north on U.S. Route 101; exit 414A for Hillsdale Blvd; left on E Hillsdale; right on Alameda de las Pulgas; left on 31st; travel west to theater parking lot.
Our Community Events Series Sponsors
Bill and Jean Lane Endowment
Event Premiere Sponsor:
Additional Sponsors:
