Outdoor Asian Chicago Fosters Community Unity Through Nature Exploration

CHICAGO — Outdoor Asian Chicago is on a mission to foster inclusive outdoor experiences for Asian Americans throughout the city.

“I didn’t understand what a relationship with nature looked like,” shared Alex Biswas, reflecting on the uncertainty that led to the creation of the group.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Driven by this uncertainty, Biswas founded the organization, drawing inspiration from a similar group she was involved with in Seattle. Since its launch two years ago, Outdoor Asian Chicago has engaged approximately 750 participants in its events.

“Although I grew up near nature, I wasn’t sure how to interact with it,” Biswas explained. “My aim is to cultivate a space where individuals feel at ease exploring new activities and discovering what resonates with them personally.”

Finding a connection

As the partnerships manager for the chapter, Biswas emphasizes the group’s commitment to introducing members to a diverse array of sports and activities that they might not have ventured into independently.

Biswas, who also serves as the chapter’s partnerships manager, said the group tries to introduce members to a variety of sports and activities they may not have tried on their own.

“We do all sorts of things,” Biswas said. “We’ll do outdoor events like fishing, hiking and kayaking. But we also do social events.”

Casting a line

For their most recent outing, dozens of members headed to the McKinley Park lagoon, on the city’s Southwest Side, for an introduction to fishing in partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

“My role here is to help and assist all of our beginner anglers and ensure that they learn how to fish and have a great time doing it,” program manager Justin Fujii said. Along with help from the IDNR, Fujii guided participants through the basics, with the goal of catching panfish, including bluegill and sunfish. For many, it was a day of “firsts.”

“This is my first fish in my life. He probably stole my bait three times, but I’m glad I caught him. And I’m so happy!” one participant exclaimed.

Representation in the great outdoors

For members like Rachel Chen, the group provides more than just a hobby. It provides representation.

“I feel like the Asian American community doesn’t necessarily have great representation in the outdoors, or super obvious resources,” Chen said. “This group is great because it introduces people to how we define the outdoors in a place like Chicago, which isn’t necessarily known for being a super outdoorsy place.”

Member Andy Chen agreed, noting that the community atmosphere makes it safe to be a beginner.

“I would consider myself outdoorsy. I really enjoy being in the sun, whether it’s on the water or hiking,” Chen said. “Like any new thing, there are challenges, like, ‘What if I mess up?’ But with the support here, and how everyone is at a beginner level, you just try and fail, and what works, works.”

As for the day’s catch, Fujii said the success of the day wasn’t just measured by what stayed on the hook.

“I would be shocked if we don’t catch anything,” Fujii said. “They’re going to go back with a little bit of algae!”