Envisioning Equity in Environmental Nonprofits, May 20

A photograph behind the video camera where Rosie Sanchez is being interviewed.
Rosie Sanchez is being interviewed for the Elevating Voices documentary, courtesy of Carlos Malache.
  • BIPOC individuals support environmental protection at a higher rate than white people
  • 36-42% of the U.S. population are BIPOC, but only 16% of environmental nonprofit staff are BIPOC, and only 12% of those individuals are in leadership positions.

Join Rocky Mountain Wild and Next 100 Colorado to explore how we can make environmental organizations more equitable, inclusive, and just.

We’re meeting in person, but if you can’t make it, we’ve also provided some resources below for you to participate from wherever you are.

Partners

A huge thank you to our Envisioning Equity in Environmental Nonprofits Day partners:

Next 100 Colorado logo

Join us for a film screening and affinity group space, including Next 100 Colorado’s inaugural BIPOC Affinity Group!

Join us for a screening of the Elevating Voices documentary, a short panel, and Affinity Group time to discuss how we can show up for equity in the environmental nonprofit world.

Following the documentary screening and short panel, attendees will be invited to join two break-out group sessions. One session will be for white allies and accomplices to discuss how they can show up and build equity in their workplaces and the environmental nonprofits they navigate. The other session will be the inaugural Next 100 Colorado BIPOC Affinity Group session!

We will have snacks, delicious empanadas from Oh My! Empanada (all gluten-free with vegan and vegetarian options), and drinks, but please feel free to bring your own food if you need something more substantive.

For everyone’s safety, we ask that all attendees be fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of the event.

When: 11:00 am-1:30 pm, Saturday, May 20
Location: Environmental Learning for Kids, 12680 Albrook Dr., Denver, CO 80239
Registration: This is a free event, but space is limited. Register to save your spot.

About the Documentary

Chris being interviewed for the Elevating Voices documentary

The Salazar Center for North American Conservation’s Elevating Voices program provides tuition support, plus mentorship and hands-on learning opportunities related to inclusive conservation, storytelling, and film production to CSU students. 

During the inaugural year of the program, selected students were awarded $2,000 each and had the opportunity to learn a range of technical and artistic skills related to filmmaking and visual storytelling. These students worked as a film crew with professional filmmakers and cinema equipment to produce, shoot, and edit a short documentary. 

The Elevating Voices documentary, created by CSU students with the mentorship of Next 100 Colorado, builds powerful narratives that explore the role of diversity in the conservation movement.  The film highlights the experiences of Coloradans working toward conservation who have traditionally been marginalized in that space. 

Watch the trailer:

About the Being in Right Relationship Panel

The “mainstream” environmental and conservation movement is rooted in colonialism, forced removal, and white supremacy culture, and this film considers what it would mean to challenge the predominant narrative and approach. This short panel will discuss how allies showing up to build right relationships in community might look like, how a conservation ethic might shift towards more equitable models, and what they wish, hope, and dream for their fellow BIPOC colleagues in this work.

About the White Ally and Accomplice Group Session

White allies and accomplices will be invited to share how they envision they can show up for this work in the spaces they navigate. A facilitator will help guide the conversation.

About the BIPOC Affinity Group Session

Some environmental and outdoor nonprofits and groups in Colorado have enough employees, and employees of color, to create affinity groups or employee resource groups to share joy, struggles, resources, and ask for assistance navigating the spaces they are in. These groups help employees not feel alone while helping the employer with recruitment, retention, and help to provide support for marginalized employees.

Some environmental nonprofits and groups in Colorado don’t have that kind of support, and some have only one marginalized employee. This can lead to isolation and a lack of people power in situations when having a “second” would help in bringing inclusion and equity issues to the forefront. In some cases, it can cause BIPOC talent to leave the environmental nonprofit sector altogether in search of spaces that more readily accept, protect, and celebrate them.

To help both groups of people, and whoever may need it, Next 100 Colorado has created the BIPOC Affinity Group to provide a space to share joy, share struggles, request support, and learn together. We will host the inaugural meeting during this event!

Can’t make it? Here are some other things you can do:

Support/Follow:

Here are some organizations, local and national, to follow and support that work towards equity, inclusion, and access in the outdoors:

Read:

For BIPOC Individuals:

For White Allies and Accomplices:

For Kids:

Do:

For BIPOC Individuals:

For White Allies and Accomplices:

Listen and Watch:

For Adults:

For Kids:

Join us for the rest of the Colorado Endangered Species Week events!