Braided Seeds

About

Braided Seeds is a Black-led non-profit that provides an on-ramp to renewed relationships with self and the outdoors for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.

Categories Program Adults BIPOC Children & Youth Community & Advocacy

Program Details

Braided Seeds’ mission is to provide opportunities for rest, restoration, and repair through connection with the land. Historically, BIPOC communities have been marginalized from outdoor spaces due to systemic barriers like racism. Our work at Braided Seeds is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves rest and restoration. Because of this belief, our programs are designed to reclaim BIPOC community members’ connection to the outdoors.

Services Offered

Hiking and Backpacking: We’ve taken hundreds of youth on hikes, tent camping trips, and backpacking trips to parks across Washington state. Some of their favorites have included Dash Point State Park, Birch Bay State Park, Twin Falls Trailhead, Ozette Loop, and Deception Pass. In 2022, we spent over 250 hours on direct youth programming.
Youth Programming: We've partnered with numerous organizations to host many programs for youth of color throughout the year! Some of our favorite adventures include kayaking, mountain biking, and hiking to Cherry Creek Falls.
Sponsored Outdoor Retreats: Day and overnight retreats, away from the noise and into the woods, can be a revelation. Our sponsorship program offers funding for self-determined small-scale activities and retreats that prioritize rest and reconnection to the land. We've provided more than 30 sponsorships, removing barriers that prevent recipients from accessing cultural and environmental experiences.
Discover Pass and Gear Distribution: In 2024, we distributed 500 Discover Passes directly to folks statewide. This year, 400 more passes will be distributed. We also offer a no-cost gear library so our community can experience the outdoors with the necessary equipment.

Contact Ashleigh Shoecraft, Executive Director info@braidedseeds.org Braided Seeds

Populations Served
Black, Indigenous, People of Color, youth, families, immigrants, refugees, low-income

Staff Composition
All our staff are part of the BIPOC community. Learn more about our team here.

Cost to Participate
All our programs are affordable to our communities, meaning most of our programs are free or low-cost.

A young BIPOC boy sits in swim trunks in a stream. He smiles and has his hand in a peace sign.

4 BIPOC people, one in a rainbow shirt, cup their hands together holding chestnut seeds.

Three BIPOC boys pose together in front of a blue river surrounded by pines.

A still lake reflects the fir trees around it. The cloudy sky shows hints of orange and yellow form the obscured sun.

A group of BIPOC young adults pose for a photo with smiles, with some sitting on the ground and some standing behind them.

Three BIPOC youth wearing backpacks bend over a stream as they reach their hands in. The stream is clear and flows over rocks of various sizes. The land around them is covered in moss and ferns.

Three individuals sit on a log on the beach, looking out at the waves and clouds. Near them are lawn chairs in the sand.

Recent Case Studies

People walk along a gravel path with benches and a waterway in the background.

Place

Muscota Marsh

The restoration of Muscota Marsh in New York City created public waterfront access through land owned by Columbia University while restoring habitat, increasing biodiversity, and improving stormwater management.

People walking and riding bicycles on a path with tall grass on either side of the path and mountains in the background.

Place

Story Mill Community Park

Encompassing 60 acres, Story Mill includes 40 acres of nature preserve with restored wetlands, aspen groves, open meadows, and the East Gallatin River, and 20 acres offering educational and recreational opportunities to engage community members and accommodate gatherings.

Nighttime aerial view shows the illuminated park with a crowd of people sitting on the lawn and the city skyline in the background.

Place

SoundScape Park

The space was transformed from a parking lot into a multi-use park that hosts a busy schedule of social events, including world-class audio-visual experiences, concerts, and film screenings.