More scientific studies prove that national parks and natural areas are racist, deny equal access

Back in June, when President Obama and his family toured a couple of national parks, the president took the opportunity to deliver some remarks on climate change.

That’s no surprise, but he also touched on some talking points shared by the Centennial Initiative, a coalition of “civil rights, environmental justice, conservation groups and community leaders and activists” whose goal is to “increase inclusion and representation of America’s communities of color in our national parks and other public lands.”

Among the changes encouraged by the Centennial Initiative is a redesign of all national parks to remove intimidating imagery, such as the vehicles driven by and uniforms worn by park rangers, both of which “have law enforcement connotations” and therefore “present a significant impediment to engaging all Americans.”

On Monday, a new study by the Center for American Progress and Conservation Science Partners suggested further actions were needed to promote access and inclusion as the National Park Service celebrated its centennial.

New study finds disparities in who has access to parks and natural areas https://t.co/LdlCcsDrHq pic.twitter.com/4szsoGZu8R

— ThinkProgress (@thinkprogress) August 22, 2016

https://twitter.com/staugy/status/767822902699831296

Hey, access is a very important, especially as the word is defined by progressives and Democrats; take a look:

President Obama: "Poor kids who need help the most, this lack of access to preschool education can shadow them for the rest of their lives."

— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) February 13, 2013

The study found that “communities of color and low income communities in the West have disproportionately less open space and natural areas nearby than does the overall population in their states” and posits that “correcting for these types of inequities should be a priority when considering designating new public lands or expanding existing boundaries.”

Take a friggin' bus.

— Kent "US Founded in Philly 1776" Brockman ???? (@KentBrockman13) August 22, 2016

Hey smart guy, not everyone can just “access” a bus. That’s why the 2009 stimulus included $8 billion to start construction of the high-speed rail system we all access and enjoy today.

FACT: 45% of Americans lack access to transit. It's time to modernize our infrastructure → http://t.co/VAevH7GBGF pic.twitter.com/n4EtzkIQMY

— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) July 14, 2014

The president’s already juggling about a dozen No. 1 priorities, but we’re sure he’ll address access to natural areas too before his term is up.

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Which was scarier: President Obama’s bear impression, or the park rangers’ intimidating uniforms?