"Seizing opportunities to diversify conservation" by Rachelle K. Gould, Indira Phukan et al.

Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources Faculty Publications

Title

Seizing opportunities to diversify conservation

Authors

Rachelle K. Gould, University of Vermont
Indira Phukan, Stanford Graduate School of Education
Mary E. Mendoza, University of Vermont
Nicole M. Ardoin, Stanford Graduate School of Education
Bindu Panikkar, University of Vermont

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2018

Abstract

Conservation Letters published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. This article identifies, and offers several ways to address, a serious, persistent issue in conservation: low levels of diversity in thought and action. We first describe the lack of diversity and highlight the continued separation of the environmental conservation and environmental justice movements. We then offer—based on previous research and our collective experience—two suggestions for how to increase inclusivity (a step farther than increasing diversity) in holistic ways. We suggest that embracing narrative, including historical narrative that can be profound and painful, may be essential to addressing this deeply rooted issue. We also suggest the need to redefine “environment” to more closely align with the diversity of perspectives that different people and disciplines bring to the topic. We support our suggestions with selected data from empirical research and provide examples of initiatives that embody them.