This is unfortunate because the physiological response to being in nature includes health benefits like “improved attention, lower stress, better mood,” and a “reduced risk of psychiatric disorders.” Still, these spaces continue to be victimized by border militarization, causing alarm to keep out.
As one Dreamer from Los Fresnos said, “I’ve only felt (unsafe) when I am near the border…I was always feeling like I was going to get picked up and get deported. It’s stressful, especially when going to El Centro was one of my favorite things to do… but now I feel unsafe.”
The peace of being surrounded by the natural world should be an experience accessible to all. Recognizing that the recreational system historically was built on oppression means there is a need to dismantle the effects of racism that have affected communities of color. Spreading awareness and supporting indigenous communities, environmental groups, nature enthusiasts, and organizations can bridge the nature gap.