Harnessing Our Power to Create Space and Positive Change — Episode 106

We are back for a new year of amazing stories and I can’t wait
for all the conversations taking place this year on Open Space
Radio! To kick off 2022, I’m thrilled to welcome someone who is
making some big waves in the outdoor recreation industry.


Dani Reyes-Acosta is a mountain athlete and storyteller rewriting
the narrative of who plays outside and how we build community
with others on this planet. Originally from Southern California,
she has traveled through Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Andorra,
Canada and the U.S. building her mountain craft since 2014, when
she graduated from corporate life with a one-way ticket to South
America.


A splitboarder, rock climber, mountain runner, and waterwoman,
she has been featured in the Washington Post, She Explores, Women
on the Road, the Los Angeles Times and regional publications
throughout the American West.


Currently partnered with Protect Our Winters, Salomon, Suunto,
Trail Butter, Anon Optics and Athletic Brewing, her mission is to
inspire individual action and collective communion through
self-care and self-determination found in the outdoors. She also
works very closely with Latino Outdoors, whose vision is a world
where all Latino communities enjoy nature as a safe, inclusive
and welcoming place – a world where the outdoors is a place to
share and celebrate stories, knowledge and culture, while growing
leadership and an active community of Latino outdoor users,
mentors and stewards.


Dani’s goal as a mountain athlete is to find the limits of her
possible, searching for high peaks and ski lines that tell the
story of Mother Earth's most impacted places.


Tune in to the episode below to learn more about Dani, how her
love for the outdoors began, and the mission she is on as an
athlete and storyteller exploring the human experience. You’ll
also learn:


How has access to the outdoors has personally played a role
in Dani’s life.


Why human-centered design is so critical when thinking of
public spaces.


The importance of being a responsible steward of the land and
how local park and recreation professionals can provide
educational opportunities around environmental stewardship.



How park and recreation professionals can support both
tourism and their local community members in their parks and
programs.


How we can use our power to create space for those who have
historically been underrepresented or left out of outdoor
recreation conversations.


What Dani’s most proud of thus far in her work, and much
more!



Related Links:


Follow Dani on Instagram

Connect with Dani on LinkedIn

Dani’s website

Protect Our Winters

Latino Outdoors