TWS on Systemic Racism within Early Conservation Movement

In response to recent coverage of the racism inherent in many laws, policies and leaders of the early conservation movement in the United States, The Wilderness Society issued the following statement from its President Jamie Williams:

“The Wilderness Society is reckoning with the historic racism of conservation leaders, policies and ideologies of the early 20th century, including some embraced by our own founders. But reckoning with the past is not enough; real change won’t happen unless we more equitably fund and invest in the work of Black, Brown and Indigenous partners, seek to diversify our leadership and the coalitions we work with, and continue to build trust with--and support--those who are stewarding the lands and waters closest to their homes.  We can’t achieve our vision for a just, healthy future for all without this type of transformational change from within.”