CJ Goulding

CJ Goulding is an advocate for equity in outdoor spaces and the co-founder and executive director of Boyz N The Wood, a nonprofit organization focused on helping Black men reconnect with nature and themselves through restorative outdoor experiences. Goulding’s career centers on community leadership, youth development, and environmental justice, with experience in conservation, outdoor education, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in both nonprofit and federal sectors. He has managed and mentored national networks of youth leaders, including his work with Children & Nature Network, where he supported more than 500 organizers and helped launch programs such as Fresh Tracks to empower urban and Indigenous youth.

Goulding is a public speaker and facilitator, known for integrating storytelling, leadership, and community organizing into his presentations. He has appeared at events such as Aspen Ideas Festival, sharing insights on mental health, outdoor equity, and the role of nature in personal and communal growth. His essay, "Why I Wear Jordans in the Great Outdoors," has been featured in outdoor education curricula nationwide, highlighting his perspective at the intersection of culture and the environment.

Goulding’s leadership has been recognized with distinctions such as the Richard Louv Prize for Innovation in Nature Connection, reflecting his work to increase outdoor access for communities of color. He holds a master’s degree in urban environmental education and serves on boards including Conservation Legacy, advocating for the redistribution of power and resources to achieve justice. Through public speaking, writing, and organizational leadership, Goulding encourages audiences to reconsider their relationship with nature and each other, addressing systemic challenges in the outdoor and environmental justice sectors.