{"id":782920,"date":"2022-02-28T10:57:30","date_gmt":"2022-02-28T15:57:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forests.org\/?p=782920"},"modified":"2023-03-23T12:56:34","modified_gmt":"2023-03-23T16:56:34","slug":"celebrating-the-contributions-of-black-americans-in-conservation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forests.org\/fr\/celebrating-the-contributions-of-black-americans-in-conservation\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating the Contributions of Black Americans in Conservation"},"content":{"rendered":"

February is Black History Month and a time to particularly celebrate and elevate the history, culture, and achievements of Black Americans and Canadians.<\/p>\n

While we should honor, recognize, and celebrate the history, culture, leadership and achievements of Black Americans and Canadians year-round, February is a month to dedicate more time to our individual and respective learning journeys. It is also a month to particularly acknowledge the inequality that Black Americans and Canadians continue to face and the work still to be done.<\/p>\n

A recent U.S. Census Survey found that less than three percent<\/a> of foresters and conservation scientists identify as African American. So here at the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), we want to elevate the many important contributions of historic and current Black Americans working in forestry and natural resources conservation.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re supporting Black Americans and Canadians interested in forestry and natural resources through SFI\u2019s commitment to embody diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across our work and network. Whether through our work in standards and certification<\/a>; curriculum and professional development for educators<\/a>; efforts to support youth in green career pathways<\/a>; or community<\/a> and conservation<\/a>\u2014we are working to remove barriers and supporting a future green jobs workforce that is more representative of the racially and ethnically diverse communities in the U.S. and Canada.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re also highlighting the Black Americans who have achieved great things in the fields of natural resources conservation in the spotlights below and with our soon-to-be released The Journey of Black Professionals in Green Careers<\/em><\/a> guide. Learn more about the many different pathways Black Americans have taken to a career in sustainability, and their contributions to educating and inspiring people to make better choices for the planet.<\/p>\n

The profiles of those below are just the start in a long list of Black role models in the forest and conservation sector. We encourage you to continue to deepen your learning and hope that the trailblazing work of those spotlighted below inspires you to carry on their work to break barriers and create new opportunities for Black forestry and sustainability leaders.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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