CTNC’s mission is to help build resilient, just communities. Our focus is conservation, because that is our expertise. But when people, especially people of color, do not feel safe, whether outdoors or in their own homes, then there can be no resilience. And certainly no justice. We stand with those calling for systemic changes to our laws, policies, and practices. No one should live in fear because of the color of their skin. Every person should be able to enjoy a resilient, just North Carolina.
CTNC’s board and staff have committed to changing our internal policies and practices in ways that build a more just North Carolina where all people share in the benefits of healthy lands. As part of this journey, we have committed to exploring the ways white privilege, white supremacy, systemic racism, and unjust practices intersect with our conservation work both personally and professionally.
For those looking for ways to take action, we’ve compiled a few resources for engagement and education about systemic racism, the racialized history of land, and how we as a conservation community can become strong allies to people of color.
On Racism and White Privilege
- White Fragility, Robin DiAngelo
- Understanding White Privilege, Francis E. Kendall, Ph.D.
- There’s No Scientific Base for Race – It’s a Made-up Label, National Geographic (Subscription required)
On race, the environment & the conservation movement
- Why every environmentalist should be anti-racist, VOGUE
- Environmentalism’s Racist History, The New Yorker
- When Wilderness Was Strictly Whites Only, Pacific Standard
- The Great Land Robbery, The Atlantic
On dismantling systemic racism
- Moving from allyship to solidarity
- Systemic Racism Explained
- What is Allyship
- 75 Things White People Can Do For Racial Justice
- The ABCs of Diversity: Helping Kids (and Ourselves!) Embrace Our Differences
CTNC acknowledges that we as an organization, a community, and individuals have much to learn about our own race equity practice but we share these resources with the hope of inspiring others to join us in holding ourselves and each other accountable for learning and growth.
If you’d like to start a conversation about the intersection of race and conservation or you’d like to learn more about our work to build a more resilient and just North Carolina – reach out to a member of our staff to get connected.