San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
Statement for Commitment for Racial Justice
The events of recent weeks have shone a spotlight on how racism in this country has limited the ability of People of Color, especially Black Americans, to be safe and free of violence and discrimination in our communities, including their ability to enjoy the right to safely access the outdoors and the benefits of being in nature.
We at the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory believe that Black lives matter, and we unequivocally reject racist sentiments, behaviors, and systems that undermine the humanity, rights, and freedoms of marginalized groups. Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color have long been actively ignored or silenced by many people and institutions in the scientific and conservation communities.
SFBBO commits to supporting more equitable engagement and decision-making in conservation. We believe that we can only achieve our mission of conserving birds and their habitats with the support, participation, and leadership of all communities.
While we have enacted many programs with the purpose of increasing diversity in conservation and the sciences, we know that we can be more purposeful in practicing anti-racism and do more to support and amplify the voices of marginalized communities.
With that goal in mind, we are making a commitment to take the following steps in the next 12 months:
We at the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory believe that Black lives matter, and we unequivocally reject racist sentiments, behaviors, and systems that undermine the humanity, rights, and freedoms of marginalized groups. Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color have long been actively ignored or silenced by many people and institutions in the scientific and conservation communities.
SFBBO commits to supporting more equitable engagement and decision-making in conservation. We believe that we can only achieve our mission of conserving birds and their habitats with the support, participation, and leadership of all communities.
While we have enacted many programs with the purpose of increasing diversity in conservation and the sciences, we know that we can be more purposeful in practicing anti-racism and do more to support and amplify the voices of marginalized communities.
With that goal in mind, we are making a commitment to take the following steps in the next 12 months:
- Re-examine our mission, vision, and strategic plan to look for additional places where we can make commitments to inclusivity and anti-racism
- Listen to and get feedback from nature- and outdoor-oriented organizations that serve minority communities, especially Black birders, and partner with them to develop programs that can help make our activities feel safe and inclusive for these communities
- Ask our board to commit to increasing its diversity and representation
- Reach out to our volunteers and gather their ideas and feedback about ways to create a more diverse and inclusive community
- Work with our funders to ensure that full-time internships are offered at minimum wage to expand the pool of applicants to those who may be unable to take low wage or unpaid internships due to economic disadvantages
- Offer free SFBBO memberships to students to reduce barriers to participation in our community science volunteer programs
- Engage in difficult conversations with partners in the conservation science community and explicitly ask them to commit to increasing access and representation at their events
- Ensure that Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color have access to our staff, donor, volunteer, and environmental education opportunities by intentionally recruiting and advertising in spaces that are more visible to underrepresented groups and offering more activities at locations that are accessible by public transportation
- Offer to partner with more groups that serve Black, Indigenous, or other People of Color, and share resources with and from Black birders and other birders from minority backgrounds
- Seek out quotes from local Black-owned businesses for consideration for special events and gatherings (such as facilities, catering, etc.) as well as for other services sometimes required by the organization
We ask that you, as our community, join us in these efforts and commit to
opposing structural racism and to being agents of positive change.
opposing structural racism and to being agents of positive change.