Eastside Audubon’s Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
We acknowledge that we are on the indigenous lands of the Coast Salish peoples who have reserved treaty rights to this land, including the Duwamish and Snoqualmie Indian Tribes. We thank the caretakers of this land who have lived and continue to live here since time immemorial.
We currently are retaining our chapter’s name of Eastside Audubon Society, despite the injustices that John James Audubon perpetuated. As we are a small chapter, we rely on our affiliation with the well-known National Audubon Society for people to find us and know what we do. As National Audubon recognizes, John James Audubon was a White supremacist and a slaveholder during the abolitionist movement of the early 1800’s. We hope that our name does not communicate defensiveness for Audubon’s failings or for racial injustices that continue today. If you or anyone you know feel unwelcome due to our name, or that our name signals an unsafe culture for BIPOC or other disadvantaged peoples, we encourage you to contact us at DEI@EastsideAudubon.org to share your perspective.
Eastside Audubon Society fully supports Audubon’s statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Just as biodiversity strengthens natural systems, the diversity of human experience strengthens our conservation efforts for the benefit of nature and all human beings. Eastside Audubon must represent and reflect that human diversity, embracing it in our community, to achieve our conservation goals. To that end, we are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff, board, volunteers, members, and supporters and to fostering an inclusive community.
Photo by Mick Thompson.
Equity, diversity and inclusion is a best practice for a sustainable organization and a strategic imperative. Our organization and conservation strategies are enriched and made stronger by the contribution of the experiences, perspectives, and values of diverse individuals and communities. Protecting and conserving nature and the environment transcends political, cultural and social boundaries, and so must Eastside Audubon to expand our reach and engage more people in protecting birds and habitat.
We are dedicated to providing an environment that prioritizes fairness and respect. At Eastside Audubon employees and volunteers are treated equally and encouraged to achieve their fullest potential. We respect the individuality of each member of our community, and we are committed to provide an environment free of any kind of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, national or ethnic origin, politics, or veteran status.
With a plurality of voices, Eastside Audubon will inspire more people and conserve more habitats. Respect, inclusion, and opportunity for people of all backgrounds, lifestyles and perspectives will attract the best ideas and harness the greatest passion to shape a healthier, more vibrant future for all of us who share our planet. The birds we are pledged to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Eastside Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness and leadership to our work throughout our community.
We are one of the official sponsors for the Snoqualmie Tribe’s Ancestral Lands Movement and we partnered with many of their folks for a year-long bird survey in 2023 – more information to come! We encourage you to endorse the Duwamish Tribe's petition for federal recognition and to see which tribes’ territories your home is in.
During 2024, we participated in the first cohort of a program led by Dr. Caren Cooper from North Carolina State University called IDEAL. Our goal, both during that program and going forward, is to learn more about who participates in our Christmas Bird Count, and then remove barriers to participation for underrepresented people in our birding community. We are taking our time to build new relationships and partnerships. If a day spent counting birds and optionally gathering for dinner in the evening sounds interesting to you or your community, please get in touch with us!
Resources
ADA Recreation
Washington State Parks
ADA Accessible Trails
Washington Trails Association
Bellevue Botanical Garden
Trail and accessibility guide