WISCONSIN—“We believe youth who connect to the natural world are inspired to be part of protecting and caring for greenspaces, from local parks to congressionally designated Wilderness areas,” said Regional Forester Gina Owens during virtual kick-off event for partners of Urban Connections.

In its 20th year, the Eastern Region’s Urban Connections program has been engaging urban populations through partners like Detroit Outdoors, Wilderness Inquiry and Student Conservation Association. This year, the program received a boost in funding enabling the region to pursue more partnerships and increase programming.

During the event, participants also heard from Forest Service employees about the agency’s inclusivity efforts, the history and value of wilderness areas and shared some of their own stories of getting kids outdoors.

“For us, Urban Connections is about planting those seeds for connecting kids to the outdoors,” said Willy Tully, Wilderness Inquiry, out of St. Paul, Minnesota. “We’re also excited to build from there—and think about taking those same kids on extended trips to wilderness areas close to home.” Tully said with the additional funding and support, Wilderness Inquiry will look to expand its Canoemobile program.

Regional Forester Owens shared her appreciation for forest partners and her commitment to reaching underserved communities. “We recognize that our partnerships are more than an opportunity to change how urban communities view their natural world,” said Owens. “They are an opportunity for me—and for all of us at the Forest Service—to change how we approach equitable access.”

Urban Connections programming is available in major metro areas across the Eastern Region, from Boston to Minneapolis/St. Paul, Detroit to (soon) St. Louis, and cities in between. With the help of interagency partners, nonprofit organizations and interested citizens, Urban Connections connects urban residents with their public lands. Together, they bring awareness of forests to urban residents and bring urban residents to their National Forests. For more information about Urban Connections and programming opportunities, contact Jessie Scott, program specialist, Urban Connections.