Everyone Belongs in Nature – Paul Blood and Power To Be

We often think of the outdoors as a place to disconnect from the noise of modern life. But nature is not just an escape – it’s a place to belong. 

Paul Blood, Training and Facilitation Lead for Power To Be, discovered early in life that nature could be a source for social connection and belonging. Now, through his work, he has made a career out of breaking down barriers so more people – regardless of circumstance or ability – can access and enjoy the immense benefits of getting outdoors. Power To Be focuses on adaptive and inclusive outdoor programs that help everyone find connection and belonging through nature.

Throughout his journey, Paul dove into all the outdoor passions: climbing, caving, canoeing, mountain biking, archery, paddle boarding. Like most people in our community, Paul shared an obvious love of adventure. But this isn’t the only reason Paul works in this industry. He’s dedicated to breaking down barriers, and getting people outside. 

“I wanted to know I could step into an environment and relieve tension in others.” Like so many other professionals in our industry, he’s driven by a desire to facilitate positive, empowering experiences through the outdoors. 

Bridging into his 26th year as an outdoor professional, we wanted to know how he sustains the passion. “It’s about taking people into an environment they’re unfamiliar with and just seeing the emotional reward they get. Yes, from going somewhere new. But also, for accomplishing something they didn’t think they were able to do. Feeds the soul, that’s for sure.” 

We discussed the importance that each person knows they belong in nature. What does belonging in nature even mean? Well, most people can go outside. Yet in a world transformed by technology, there’s nuance to actually connecting with nature. Paul emphasizes that it’s not just physically existing outside, but learning the practice of being in nature. Slowing down. Taking notice. Allowing nature to impact you. 

What barriers does Power To Be help remove? 

“Being in nature is often seen as something you need to be fully physically able to participate in. Let’s say a hike is uneven and you’re in a wheelchair. That’s a barrier. Or even if the trail is accessible but folks don’t know it, or they’re still uncertain if they belong there.”

Power To Be integrates adaptive technology and intentional facilitation to help people experience both physical and social belonging in nature. One example is the TrailRider, an adaptive wheelchair designed for rugged terrain. With a single wheel and guided by trained supporters, the TrailRider allows participants to move over roots and rocks, and through narrow paths that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Paul recalled a recent trip that Power To Be facilitated with an older couple using a pair of TrailRiders, where they headed up to a beautiful vista in Stony Hill – a place the couple would not have been able to reach without this support. “The gratitude that they had to be able to get to that kind of place, and the memory you know that will be there afterwards – that is what it’s all about.” 

We chatted about how the magic of taking people outside, who might not otherwise go, is made possible not only by adaptive technology like the TrailRider, but by trust. Trust in the people who guide you, support you, and share the experience alongside you. At the Outdoor Council of Canada, we believe that’s the real magic of what we do.

When you go outside with others, trust is part of the experience. Whether you’re riding in a TrailRider, being belayed by a climbing partner, or heading out on a backpacking trip and trusting someone else packed the granola, you rely on each other.

The outdoors may be remote and quiet, but it remains one of the most powerful places for deep connection.

Community is at the centre of what we do. We find it, build it, and share it. We steward it, nourish it, and celebrate it. And like Paul, we continue to create opportunities so that everyone can belong in nature.