Exploring nature our way
About
Access to natural spaces and regular physical activity are critical to living a healthy lifestyle. Getting outdoors relieves stress, improves mental health and physical activity. However, systemic racism drives a stigma that racial and ethnic minorities, particularly Black people do not care about their health or the environment. Historically, people of color were excluded from accessing outdoor spaces such as National Parks. Representation and accessibility matters. We co-founded REMIXEcology (Racial & Ethnic Minorities in Exploration) to change it.
REMIXEcology LLC was co-founded in 2017 in New Orleans, LA after winning the "Audience Favorite" of Propeller's PitchNOLA Living Well Challenge 2017. Our business is based on our own lived experiences as Black women and STEM professionals to dismantle institutional racism prevalent in outdoor space accessibility, and environmental justice. We are changing narratives by engaging people with the outdoors, each other and themselves.
Our mission
To provide under-represented individuals the opportunity to cultivate relationships with themselves, each other and nature in order to holistically improve their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Our values
- Respect and Inclusion
- Safety
- Connection
We value and welcome persons from all backgrounds and intersectional groups to ensure more equitable and accessible spaces. We cultivate experiences that welcome all hiking experience levels.
We empower our explorers with personal safety, hiking and wilderness skills to step outdoors with confidence.
We foster opportunities for our explorers to establish mindful connections within themselves, with our environment, and with each other.
Meet the co-founders
CIDNEY
Cidney Christie is originally from New York City and lives in New Orleans. Growing up in the city, playing in concrete playgrounds and fenced-in backyards was common. Her early memories of walking into a boundless, wooded forest sparked curiosity in her mind and solace in her heart. She believes nature is healing and draws experience from her career as an environmental scientist, racial diversity and inclusion advocate, and her love for exploring natural spaces to create positive experiences. She is Wilderness First Aid and CPR/AED trained. In her free time, you’ll find her dancing on the road during Caribbean Carnivals or practicing Kung Fu Martial arts.
MAISHA
Originally from North Baton Rouge, LA, Maisha Mena resides in New Orleans. Maisha incorporates her engineering background into serving the community and preserving the natural environment. She is certified in CPR First Aid and water safety. When she is not working, Maisha loves to dance and listen to podcasts.
Stay connected for the next adventure!
Drop your email below to find about ways to explore, de-stress and play outdoors safely.