The Network for Landscape Conservation has partnered with the Salazar Center for North American Conservation to release a report that explores how principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion strengthen landscape conservation efforts across the United States. “Weaving the Strands Together: Case Studies in Inclusive and Equitable Landscape Conservation” shares stories that emerge from the city of Baltimore, the desert landscape of Bears Ears Natural Monument, the Klamath River watershed in the Pacific Northwest, and Pembroke Township in northeastern Illinois. These stories, drawn from interviews with leaders and stakeholders within each of the four landscape conservation initiatives, show inspiring conservation successes sparked by leadership from historically marginalized communities—and demonstrate how inclusive collaborative approaches not only advance conservation goals but also foster mutual respect, community autonomy, and cultural recognition. We’re incredibly grateful to these landscape conservation leaders for sharing their stories with us and helping us to see the common themes and lessons learned that emerge—insights that are sure to guide our necessary and collective efforts to build equitable and respectful relationships with communities that have long been ignored (or worse) by the conservation movement.

The Weaving the Strands Together report will also serve as a foundation for the next event in the Network’s Policy Forum Series on the Future of Landscape Conservation.

Read the Weaving the Strands Together Report