Regional Equity Assessment
Assessing Equity in Nature
The Regional Equity Assessment (REA) is a research and experience-driven mapping tool developed from 2021-2023 by the Equity Task Force, which includes the Equity Working Team, Equity Research Team, and a team of consultants. The REA was created to address inequities in nature resulting from discrimination, segregation, trauma, and environmental injustice in the Metro Denver area.
Metro DNA encourages members, stakeholders, and policymakers to use this tool to inform future policy, advocacy, and investment, advancing equitable access to nature.
Equity Framework
The Regional Equity Assessment is guided by an Equity Framework that defines six interconnected dimensions of “Equity in Nature”. Using a blend of spatial data and storytelling, the REA details environmental inequities across Metro Denver, drawing from a range of sources such as the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), U.S. Census Bureau, Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), and the American Community Survey (ACS).
Past and present environmental harm is healed by highlighting and disrupting patterns of oppression against marginalized racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups; and by repairing and rebalancing the disproportionate share of negative environmental consequences they face.
Advance Environmental Justice
Nurture Connection
Relationships between people and nature are reframed and characterized by reciprocity, integrity and respect. All people share the opportunity to experience caring for nature, and feeling connected to, belonging in, and safe in nature.
Diversify Leadership
Marginalized racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups have opportunities to make decisions about how nature is accessed and managed. This includes participation in nature-related policy making and programming; inclusive practices in recruitment, hiring, and retention; as well as equal access to environmental education and leadership opportunities.
Ensure Easy Access
People in urban areas (particularly communities of color and low income communities) have opportunities to access nature, including green spaces, parks, trees and natural areas, both close to home and afar, in order to realize the many physical and mental health benefits that nature provides.
Enable Accessibility
Safe physical access to and enjoyment of natural environments are available to all people, regardless of cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, sensory, or linguistic abilities.
Design for Well-being
All people, particularly marginalized racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups, experience positive social and physical environments that promote good health and the potential to thrive. Through integrated land use planning and investment in interrelated infrastructure systems —housing, transportation, jobs, quality education, healthy food, and health care— we expand opportunity overall, including access to and enjoyment of nature, and all Social Determinants of Health.