Equity and equality don’t exist for BIPOC communities. More specifically, they do not have safe and equitable access to the physical, mental and spiritual health benefits that nature provides, Forest Park included.
Together, in collaboration and partnership, Love is King and Forest Park Conservancy can create this equitable and safe space in Forest Park, where people from all walks of life regardless of their race, class, gender, disability, sexual orientation, culture, religion, and ethnicity have the freedom to roam in nature and feel safe and welcomed.
Because of its location at the center of a large and growing metropolitan region, Forest Park acts as a “gateway” or introduction to the region’s rich network of city and state parks and State and National Forests. State and National Forests around the Portland/Vancouver region comprise approximately 3,876,343 acres. With the changing demographics of the Portland metro area, increased impacts of climate change, and gentrification negatively affecting minority communities, Forest Park is a unique asset to help address diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice. It’s unique because of its size, location, and the amount of ecological, social, and economic benefits it provides to Portland communities.
Forest Park Conservancy is committed to supporting and incorporating LIK’s mission to activate, inspire and empower a humanitarian movement that will mobilize citizens of all colors to carry out our humanitarian obligation that will raise our collective consciousness, educate and help facilitate conflict resolution through love, empathy, respect and a real sense of personal responsibility without discrimination.
Love is King is a movement that is much bigger and broader reaching than Forest Park. Through this partnership, we aim to create a model that can be used as a tool for other organizations like FPC to partner with Love is King and create a space for and implement this movement throughout all levels of their organization. The organization itself will become an Ambassador and Guardian of the Love is King movement, committed to inspiring and empowering our community to help make Forest Park a place where everyone has equitable access to the physical, mental and spiritual health benefits it provides. A place where all people have the freedom to roam, feel safe, and are welcome.