Center for Diversity & the Environment

The Facts

People of color in the U.S.: over 111 million (36.3% of the population)*

The year people of color will be over 50% of the U.S. population: 2042*

People of color working for natural resource organizations: 11% of the staff & 9% of board members**

Percentage of environmental institutions with no people of color on staff: 33% of environmental organizations & 22% of government agencies***

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* U.S. Census Bureau

** Natural Resources Council of America

*** Multicultural Environmental Leadership Development Initiative

 

 

 

 

In Brief

Center for Diversity & the Environment racially and ethnically diversifies the U.S. environmental movement by developing leaders, diversifying institutions, and building community.

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Events

Exploring Power, Privilege & Tools for Change Retreat, May 2-4, 2012, Denver, CO.

2042 Today: Young Professionals Re-Imagining Conservation, July 28-Aug. 3, 2012, Fayston, VT

Environment 2042 Leadership Program, Dates TBD

Click here for a short video about our retreats and forums


What We Do
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The Center for Diversity & the Environment is leading the way in creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive U.S. environmental movement. We are a movement-builder and bridge-builder and provide services that will help the movement attain a higher level of success and relevancy. Our services and programs include:

Exploring Power, Privilege and Tools for Change Retreat- Our foundational 2-day retreat that includes diversity training and provides tools to develop action-based solutions at the individual, organizational, and movement-wide levels.

Check out this inspirational video about our gatherings- www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmOt4fislGk.

Environment 2042 Leadership Program - An advanced training series for top leaders that exemplifies a diverse, inclusive culture, demonstrating how environmental institutions will need to operate for success in the 21st Century, especially by 2042 when the U.S. will be over 50% people of color.

Equity Audit- An assessment tool and process that provides strategic direction for diversifying an environmental organization.

Environmental Professionals of Color (EPOC)- A national network of people of color who are working to create a more sustainable future for all. Many are often the only person or one of the few people of color working at their environmental institutions. If you are a person of color interested in joining the EPOC network, email us.

Click here for detailed information about our mission, vision, programs, and with whom we have worked.

 

Resources

Voters of Color Support Environmental Issues at Higher Rates than Whites

A 2009 national poll, commissioned by The Nature Conservancy, shows that voters of color are concerned about loss of habitat and open space, global warming, and pollution 14-22% higher than white voters. Furthermore, voters of color from all socio-economic levels are more willing to pay for solutions. The report concludes that "communities of color in America are some of the most dedicated supporters of conservation."

 

Diversity and the Future of the U.S. Environmental Movement (Click here to order or download for free)

A groundbreaking book in which over 15 environmental leaders representing various disciplines share their thoughts about why diversity and inclusivity is important to the movement.

Click here for more resources