Black History Month Spotlight: Oakland Goes Outdoors' Zotunde Morton

This Black History Month, we're spotlighting Zotunde Morton, a passionate educator, trail runner, and 20-year champion of getting Oakland youth into the great outdoors through our incredible partner, Oakland Goes Outdoors. 

We spoke with Zotunde to hear about his journey. From catching snakes with his dad in the Oakland Hills as a kid, to now supporting teachers across OUSD in bringing thousands of students into nature every year. His story is a reminder of why outdoor education isn't a luxury; it's a lifelong gift.

What's your favorite outdoor spot where you feel most at home?

"My favorite outdoor spot—the place where I feel most at home—is Joaquin Miller Park in the Oakland Hills. Because it was so accessible from East Oakland, where I lived, I found myself there often for many different reasons: quiet time to decompress alone, leading youth and men's hikes, trail running, romantic dates, concerts, festivals, and more.

In fact, the logo of Ujimaa—a local nonprofit after-school agency I co-founded—comes from a photo we took of youth trying to climb the pyramid during one of our hikes there. From the towering redwoods and sweeping views of the Bay, to the Woodminster Theater and the (currently dried-up) cascading waterfall with its 200 stairs beside it, Joaquin Miller Park has deepened my love for the outdoors while living in a major urban city."

 

What are your go-to trail snacks for hiking or trail running?

"My go-to trail snacks are the classic, sweet trail mix blends—peanuts, raisins, almonds, and chocolate candies. It's simple, reliable, and always hits the spot on a long hike.

My oddball trail snack is a mix of dried cranberries and banana chips. It sounds a little unconventional, but the sweet-tart combo gives a great energy boost and keeps things interesting on the trail."

What inspired you to dedicate the last 20 years to getting Oakland youth outdoors?

"As a young child—under six years old—my parents took me camping often. Along with several of my uncles and aunties, they all had campers, and we would spend time along the Russian River across from my uncle's ranch. Playing outside with my many cousins on those trips permanently imprinted my love for the outdoors. My father and I also went on many hikes throughout my youth. We would bring garden gloves and pillowcases so we could safely catch and later release any snakes or lizards we found along the way.

As I grew older and entered high school and college, I began to notice through conversations that many of my friends hadn't spent much time in nature during their childhood. Some even seemed to fear it or believed it wasn't 'for Black people.' I've always enjoyed introducing people to new experiences, but that joy became even greater when I was able to introduce someone—especially a young person—to their first immersive experience in nature.

In college, I learned more about the disparities in outdoor access for urban Black youth. It quickly became a lifelong mission and purpose for me to help close that gap. Through this work, I've seen firsthand how powerful nature can be as a tool for youth and human development, and it continues to guide the work I do today."

What's the biggest difference you've noticed in your approach as an elementary specialist versus your time as an after-school coordinator?

"The biggest differences are the scale of the number of students impacted and no longer working in direct service. Instead of planning and leading trips for the approximately 100 students in our after-school program, I now support teachers in planning and leading trips for thousands of students across the Oakland Unified School District.

Although I greatly miss leading youth trips myself, I know I'm able to have a far greater impact in my current role with Oakland Goes Outdoors."

Can you share a favorite moment from working with OUSD students in nature?

"Two of my favorite moments working with OUSD students in nature stand out to me.

First, weather permitting, I often sleep outside on a tarp with no tent when I take youth camping. On the second night of a four-day boys' camping trip, one student asked if they could sleep outside of their tent on a tarp as well. By the third night, several more youth wanted to do the same—sleeping under the stars instead of inside their tents. In that moment, I knew something special and transformative had taken place. It almost brought a tear to my eye as I quietly thought to myself, 'Mission accomplished.'

The second moment happened during a field trip to Samuel P. Taylor Park in Marin to observe spawning salmon. One young girl was so excited about the trip that she said, 'I'm going to bring my family here next week.' Once again, I smiled to myself and thought, 'Mission accomplished.'"

What's your best advice for educators or families wanting to get kids more connected to the outdoors?

"Take young people to outdoor spaces that you genuinely enjoy and that inspire you. Your enthusiasm will naturally spill over to them and greatly increase the chances of a positive, lasting experience.

Be sure to leave time for unstructured exploration, wonder, and imagination. This is where the real magic happens—where curiosity grows and a lifelong love for nature can develop organically."

What does equitable access to green spaces mean to you, and why is it so important?

"Equitable access to green spaces means creating outdoor environments that are welcoming and inclusive for all people. This includes ADA accessibility whenever possible, clear signage that shares the history of the land, the people native to it, and those who have contributed to its stewardship. It also means lowering or removing cost barriers so more communities can participate.

Equity in green spaces should be reflected in marketing as well, with diverse representation in outreach materials. It involves building pipelines that increase diversity among those who work in the outdoor industry and creating more green spaces that are accessible by public transportation. Ultimately, it also means making outdoor education a regular and required part of the school experience so every young person has the opportunity to connect with nature."

How has your own relationship with nature evolved over the years?

"In the past, my relationship with nature was mostly recreational. I still rely on nature for many of my recreational activities, but now I'm much more aware of how my connection to the outdoors affects my mental health. If more than two weeks pass without me spending time in nature, I notice my patience shortening, my irritability increasing, and an overall drop in my happiness.

Over time, I've also developed a deeper respect for green spaces as powerful tools for human development—places for tai chi, meditation, relationship building, team building, outdoor classrooms, retreats, and quiet, minimally distracted self-reflection."

 

 

 

Thank you, Zotunde, for your dedication to Oakland's young people — and for showing us that nature belongs to everyone.