All Hands on Deck!: Audrey and Frank Peterman

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is proud to sponsor a special speaking engagement with Audrey and Frank Peterman, who share more than two decades of exploration in national parks, forests and wildlife refuges, and pioneered efforts to promote them among Americans of color.

With their last child graduating from college, Audrey and Frank Peterman embarked on a road trip around the country to “discover America.” Traveling 12,000 miles across 40 states from Florida to Washington State, they were transformed by the stunning natural beauty, history and culture protected in our National Parks and forests. Shockingly, they saw less than a handful of Americans of Hispanic, Asian, African or Native American heritage enjoying the Great American outdoors, or working in them. Recognizing that this problem stemmed from a lack of information, misconceptions and latent fears about being in the woods, the Petermans resolved to become a  catalyst for change. Since then, they’ve crisscrossed the country multiple times, visiting 156 national parks, numerous forests and wildlife preserves; served on a plethora of environmental boards; inspired hundreds of thousands to discover and support our national treasures, and personally taken thousands of Americans on tours of the national parks.

The event is free and open to the public.

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