Winona Outdoor Collaborative GTMD 22

Since Covid-19 stretched across the country, the outdoors has seen a huge increase in popularity. With the ability to distance more easily, combined with the natural source of healing for mental and physical health, the outdoors has become an escape for countless individuals looking to live their best life while enduring the stress and strain of a worldwide pandemic.

The Winona Outdoor Collaborative (WOC) formed in late 2019 and was positioned well to support the Winona community in accessing the outdoors throughout the pandemic. Through a series of programs aimed at bringing people together, the WOC has worked tirelessly over the last two years to encourage individuals of all backgrounds to get outdoors, living their healthiest life through connection to community and active lifestyles in nature.

The WOC's mission is to increase accessibility and inclusion in outdoor recreation. The team at the WOC passionately believes in the importance of nature as a tool for healing from past traumas and living healthy lifestyles. These resources should be accessible to all, however a number of individuals face a myriad of barriers that prevent them from equitably accessing nature. People experiencing income instability may lack the financial means to support their outdoor adventures, and individuals with differently abled bodies may lack access to ADA accessible facilities and trails to recreate on. The WOC exists to address these barriers and lessen the gaps various demographics of people face to getting outdoors in order to create an outdoors that is truly welcoming to all. 

The WOC is raising operational funds to support the work they do. All donations raised will go directly towards the behind-the-scenes expenses that support WOC programs and services. Is an equitable, accessible outdoors important to you? Support the efforts of the WOC by donating today and enabling the organization to continue striving towards an outdoors for all.