Arianna Barajas, a resident of Chicago’s suburbs and the daughter of Mexican immigrants, had never considered herself to be someone who enjoyed spending time outdoors.
Her interactions with nature were limited to occasional bike rides to the local community park. However, her interest in wildlife always lingered in the back of her mind.
It wasn’t until her older brother decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine that Barajas realized she too could forge a path working with animals.
Fueled by her newfound ambition, she took a leap of faith and enrolled at the prestigious University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she chose to major in wildlife ecology.
As fate would have it, this summer presented Barajas with a unique opportunity to explore her passion further. She secured an internship at the renowned International Crane Foundation’s headquarters in Baraboo, Wisconsin.
This particular internship was specifically designed to provide people of color with hands-on experience in the field. For Barajas, it was an invitation to step into an entirely new world.
This internship not only allowed Barajas to immerse herself in the study and conservation of cranes but also provided her with invaluable exposure to the world of wildlife ecology.
She found herself surrounded by experts who shared her passion and dedication, and she quickly realized that this was where she belonged.
Working at the International Crane Foundation’s headquarters in Baraboo, Wisconsin, Barajas was able to witness firsthand the organization’s tireless efforts to protect and preserve these majestic creatures.
She participated in various research projects, learning about crane behavior, habitat restoration, and the importance of community engagement in conservation efforts.
The experience was transformative for Barajas. It not only solidified her career aspirations but also opened her eyes to the vast opportunities available in the field of wildlife ecology.
She was inspired by the dedication and passion exhibited by the staff at the International Crane Foundation and felt motivated to contribute to the conservation of other endangered species.
As Barajas returned to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for her senior year, she did so with a renewed sense of purpose and determination.
Her internship at the International Crane Foundation had provided her with the practical skills and knowledge necessary to pursue her dreams. She was now equipped with the confidence to make a lasting impact in the world of wildlife conservation.
Barajas’s journey from a young woman who had never considered a career in the outdoors to a dedicated wildlife ecologist is a testament to the power of opportunity and personal growth.
Through her internship, she discovered her true calling and gained the necessary experience to forge a successful career in the field.
As she looks towards the future, Barajas is excited to continue her work in wildlife conservation, knowing that she is making a difference in preserving the natural world for generations to come.
Barajas, a 21-year-old individual, expressed his lifelong fascination with wildlife and animals, acknowledging that he was unaware of the various career paths available to him in this field.
He emphasized his deep-rooted passion for the great outdoors, asserting that he cannot confine himself to the monotony of an office environment. Instead, he yearns to immerse himself in the natural world, engaging in activities that he perceives as meaningful and worthwhile.
Barajas’ unwavering dedication to the preservation and exploration of nature serves as a testament to his unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship.
Over the past two decades, environmental groups across the nation have been actively working towards increasing representation of underrepresented populations in the predominantly white conservation world.
However, it was not until the tragic death of George Floyd that the nation as a whole was forced to confront its deep-rooted issues of racial inequality and subsequently, various industries were challenged to prioritize diversity and inclusion efforts.
As the world grapples with the effects of climate change, minority advocates argue that it is crucial for leaders to consider every perspective when formulating conservation policies.
Numerous studies conducted since the early 1980s have consistently highlighted the fact that communities of color bear a disproportionate burden of pollution and climate change impacts compared to wealthier areas.
In order to effectively address the immense environmental challenges we face, it is imperative to have a diverse range of ideas and voices at the table.
Soumi Gaddameedi, a 22-year-old Indian American and donor coordinator for the nonprofit organization Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, emphasizes the importance of recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
People of color are often the ones experiencing the most severe consequences of environmental degradation, making it essential for them to have a platform to voice their concerns and perspectives.
For over a century, American conservation policy has predominantly been controlled by white men. The modern conservation movement in the United States emerged around the turn of the 20th century, spearheaded by influential figures like John Muir, co-founder of the Sierra Club, who openly expressed derogatory views towards Native Americans, and President Theodore Roosevelt, who significantly expanded the National Park System.
This trend continued with the likes of Aldo Leopold and Wisconsin Governor Gaylord Nelson, who founded Earth Day, following in their footsteps.
The historical dominance of white men in shaping conservation policies has perpetuated a lack of diversity and inclusion within the field.
In light of the urgent need to address climate change and environmental degradation, it is crucial to recognize the importance of diverse perspectives and voices in shaping conservation policies.
The experiences and insights of communities of color, who often bear the brunt of environmental injustices, are invaluable in developing effective solutions.
The environmental issues we face are multifaceted and complex, and tackling them requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account the unique challenges faced by different communities.
By actively including underrepresented populations in the decision-making process, we can foster a more inclusive and equitable conservation movement that is better equipped to address the pressing environmental challenges of our time.
According to data from the National Park Service, more than 80% of its employees are white. This lack of diversity is not unique to the Park Service, as a survey conducted in 2022 by Green 2.0, an organization advocating for minority inclusion in the environmental sector, found that 60% of staff and nearly 70% of organization heads in the 40 largest non-government environmental organizations and foundations identified as white.
Sociologists have put forth various explanations for this lack of diversity in conservation ranks. One such explanation is that people of color often reside in urban areas with limited exposure to the outdoors, leading them to perceive outdoor recreation as a domain primarily for white individuals.
Kristy Drutman, the founder of the Green Jobs Board and host of the Brown Girl Green podcast, who herself identifies as both Filipino and Jewish, supports this notion.
She believes that the issue lies not in the preference of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) to avoid the outdoors, but rather in the disparity of opportunities afforded to them.
Drutman argues that historical factors such as urbanization and racial segregation have resulted in BIPOC communities having limited access to green spaces, which has consequently contributed to the perception of outdoor activities as being predominantly for white individuals.
Additionally, the underrepresentation of people of color in the fields of biology and natural resources further exacerbates the lack of diversity in conservation.
A study conducted by the National Science Foundation in 2021 revealed that Hispanic individuals constituted only about 13.6% of graduate students and 12.8% of doctoral students in these fields, while Black individuals accounted for approximately 9.5% of graduate students and a mere 6% of doctoral students.
Furthermore, Native Americans made up less than 1% of both graduate and doctoral students in these fields.
These statistics highlight the need for concerted efforts to address the lack of diversity in conservation and environmental organizations, as well as the importance of creating equal opportunities for individuals from underrepresented communities to pursue careers in these fields.
According to Caitlin Alba, who is actively involved in recruiting minority students to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s environmental programs, there has been a longstanding tradition of white men from rural areas dominating roles in the environmental field.
This has resulted in a lack of representation and opportunities for minority mentors and educators. However, national environmental organization Conservation Legacy has taken steps to address this issue by actively recruiting young people from underrepresented populations across the country.
Their recruitment efforts have been successful in states such as Arizona, New Mexico, North Carolina, and the Appalachian region.
These diverse teams are involved in a wide range of conservation projects, including river restoration, vegetation monitoring, disaster relief, and conservation initiatives on Native American lands.
The organization has also created specialized crews, such as a group for sign-language users and an all-female crew known as “the Trail Angels.”
Another organization, Northwest Youth Corps, based in Eugene, Oregon, has been actively recruiting LGBTQ students and adults for their Rainbow Crews since 2017.
These crews focus on reforestation projects and aim to provide hands-on training and experience for individuals interested in pursuing environmental jobs or outdoor careers.
The success of this program was recognized when it won the Corps Network’s 2020 Project of the Year award. In an effort to further diversify their teams, the organization has recently established two all-women crews in Idaho.
Additionally, they actively recruit young American Indians for crews working on ancestral lands, with the hope of encouraging them to pursue environmental jobs within their tribes.
These initiatives by Conservation Legacy and Northwest Youth Corps are crucial in addressing the lack of diversity within the environmental field.
By actively recruiting and providing opportunities for individuals from underrepresented populations, these organizations are breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive and equitable environment.
It is important to continue supporting and expanding these efforts to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background, have equal access to environmental education and employment opportunities.
In an effort to promote diversity and inclusivity within the conservation field, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin took a significant step forward in 2021 by launching a paid internship program specifically aimed at BIPOC students.
This groundbreaking initiative provides interns with the opportunity to work alongside renowned conservation organizations such as the International Crane Foundation, where Barajas, one of the ten interns, has been placed.
The program, which began with three participants in its inaugural year, saw a notable increase in participation with seven interns joining last summer.
Barajas, having spent her summer diligently tagging and tracking whooping cranes across the picturesque landscapes of south-central Wisconsin, has gained a profound understanding of the lack of minority perspectives in the conservation world.
She highlights the need for more inclusive programming that not only caters to English-speaking individuals but also reaches out to diverse communities.
Barajas raises a valid concern regarding the imposition of fines on individuals for not recycling, as it creates a financial barrier for certain communities.
It is clear that minority voices are often overlooked in the conservation realm, and individuals like Barajas are taking it upon themselves to actively expand inclusion and representation within the field.
Tykee James, an African American individual, was raised in Philadelphia but developed a profound passion for birdwatching after being approached by two Caucasian employees from a local environmental education center during his high school environmental studies class.
Their invitation to serve as a guide at the facility ignited a newfound interest in him and opened his eyes to a previously unexplored path.
Subsequently, James has held various roles within the environmental sector, including serving as an environmental policy specialist for Pennsylvania state Representative Donna Bullock and as a governmental affairs coordinator for the esteemed National Audubon Society.
Presently, he works as a government relations representative for The Wilderness Society, an organization dedicated to safeguarding wilderness acreage.
In 2019, James co-founded Amplify the Future, a foundation that grants college scholarships to aspiring Black and Latinx birdwatchers from both the continental United States and Puerto Rico.
Recognizing the significance of diverse perspectives in decision-making processes concerning the allocation of limited resources, James emphasizes the necessity for a variety of viewpoints.
He asserts that individuals hailing from similar backgrounds, possessing comparable financial situations, and sharing identical racial compositions are likely to exhibit homogeneous thinking patterns when confronted with crucial questions.
By advocating for diversity in vision, James aims to challenge the status quo and promote a more inclusive approach to addressing complex issues.