Parks Stewardship Forum

In Spanish, pasito means “small step,” and in Phase 1 of the PASITO (Promoting Activity and Stress Reduction in the Outdoors) project we took small steps towards reclaiming nature for Latinx communities. The Latinx reclamation of green spaces for healing is a necessary step alleviating the observed unequal burden of chronic and infectious disease. Paradoxically, the Latinx community who could greatly benefit from green spaces has reduced access, as is the case for many poor communities of color. This perspective seeks to reflect on and utilize the lessons learned from PASITO in order to expand the positive impacts of nature for communities of color. Through self-reflection by members of the academic research team and a community leader, as well as preliminary analysis of qualitative data gathered from PASITO participants, we share insights from a community-engaged research project. Our approach validated culturally competent research practices with insider researchers, as well as culturally sensitive biospecimen collection, and revealed steps towards recruitment, retention, and healing for Latinx participants in research projects. These findings come at a pivotal time for park stewards and green space researchers as the need for spaces for healing accelerates for all communities of color, including Latinx, as we face a society plagued by biological and social reckonings. To find true and sustained healing within these communities calls for communities to progress from small steps towards giant strides in the reclamation of natural landscapes for well-being.