March 12, 2021
Upcoming Virtual Policy Forum: Pathways to a Just and Equitable Future
We are pleased to announce that the Network for Landscape Conservation is convening a virtual policy forum on Wednesday, March 31st from 1 to 2:30 pm ET, to focus on the fundamental importance of justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion in collaborative landscape conservation. This is the third in a series of virtual policy forums that we are hosting, and builds from the Weaving the Strands Together: Case Studies in Inclusive and Equitable Landscape Conservation report, which the Network released earlier this year in partnership with the Salazar Center for North American Conservation.
Context: The modern conservation movement in the US has had many celebrated successes in terms of the National Park system and other public lands, private land acquisitions and easements, and more. But some of this has come at the considerable expense of underrepresented populations and benefited some populations far more than others. It is past time to correct a historic imbalance and recalibrate the land conservation movement as one for all people. For the future of nature and society, we must move beyond the concept of nature as exclusive for a few to nature as essential for all. The purpose of this forum is to explore opportunities (and examples) for building a broad-based and enduring constituency for landscape conservation, and for the many essential services nature provides for all people, in all places.
The 90 minute Forum will feature a keynote address from Dr. Mamie Parker, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Commissioner and former Head of Fisheries at US Fish & Wildlife Service, who will then moderate a panel discussion.
Panelists:
Martha Williams – Principal Deputy Director of USFWS;
Patrick Gonzales Rogers – Executive Director of Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition;
Curtis Bennett – Director of Equity & Community Engagement at National Aquarium and steering committee member of Greater Baltimore Wilderness Coalition;
David Lamfrom – Vice President of Regional Programs at the National Parks Conservation Association.
Patrick Gonzales Rogers – Executive Director of Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition;
Curtis Bennett – Director of Equity & Community Engagement at National Aquarium and steering committee member of Greater Baltimore Wilderness Coalition;
David Lamfrom – Vice President of Regional Programs at the National Parks Conservation Association.