New Perspectives – Amira’s Wanderlust Women Tour

Amira Patel, otherwise known as Amira the Wanderlust is the founder of The Wanderlust Women – a hiking and adventure group of Muslim women and women from under-represented communities (Instagram @the.wanderlust.women)

The Wanderlust Women is an initiative born out of the need to normalise Muslim women exploring and being visible in the great outdoors.

In her project, Amira designed a Wanderlust Women Tour which visited 4 National Parks – North York Moors, Lake District, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) and Exmoor. She documented her experience as well as those of her tour attendees and digs into what barriers are restricting Muslim women and other people from ethnic backgrounds from visiting National Parks.

You can watch Amira’s film here.

Equality in Protected Landscapes

Amira’s film explores the joys of spending time in nature and the value of getting outdoors, all whilst confronting the issues that can affect access to Protected Landscapes – lack of information and resources, limited accessibility, as well as the fear of micro aggressions and racial abuse.

Her film shows just how universal the wonder of the National Park experience is but is also a stark reminder of the inequalities that must be addressed.

Access for all

National Parks are for the entire nation. It is so important to have people / initiatives like Wanderlust Women to help people experience National Parks together and underlines how essential the ranger service is to make National Parks welcoming and inclusive – yet ranger posts have been axed as casualties in face of Government funding cuts. This is why are campaigning for the powers and resources needed to ensure National Parks are wilder and inclusive.

Everyone has the right to experience the benefits of spending time in nature. At Campaign for National Parks we want a future where everyone can visit National Parks and experience the joy and beauty they offer.

Commenting on the project, our Chief Executive, Rose O’Neill said:

“Amira’s film beautifully captures the joy we all experience when we visit National Parks and the value of initiatives like the Wanderlust Women in getting more people into the Parks. The issues she raises really embolden us as an organisation to work harder for equal access to Protected Landscapes and to fight for the resources they so desperately need.”

Find out more about the New Perspectives Bursary scheme, which gives a platform to those voices less heard in our National Parks here.