Dakota Jones - Footprints: Camps for Climate Action

Dakota Jones is more than just a world-class trail runner—he’s a passionate environmental advocate on a mission to drive meaningful climate action. As a professional athlete for NNormal and the Founder and Executive Director of Footprints, an environmental nonprofit, Dakota is dedicated to empowering individuals to create tangible change in their local communities.

Footprints provide mentorship, networks, and self-development opportunities. It uses shared outdoor experiences to foster environmental awareness and cultivate confident, value-driven changemakers. Founded by trail runners, the organisation also works to make the outdoors more accessible and inclusive, reinforcing the powerful link between environmental stewardship and sport.

This year, Dakota is taking on some of his biggest challenges yet—including an attempt at the 100-mile American record at the upcoming Jackpot Ultras in Las Vegas, all while raising critical funds to support Footprints’ mission of building a more sustainable, climate-resilient future.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Dakota’s journey into ultrarunning and rise as one of the sport’s top competitors.
• His experiences racing some of the world’s toughest trail events.
• Competing in Australia, winning the Buffalo Stampede, and earning the King of the Mountain title!
• What sparked his passion for environmental activism.
• First-hand experiences witnessing climate change and his responsibility for protecting wild places.
• The origins of Footprints and how it empowers grassroots climate action.
• The impact of Footprints Camps and the inspiring projects launched by some of the camp’s graduates.
• Personal lessons learned from leading Footprints Camps and supporting emerging changemakers.
• Footprints fundraising efforts for 2025, including Dakota’s upcoming 100-mile record attempt.
• His upcoming personal and professional plans for 2025—both in racing and environmental advocacy.

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.