The stereotype that environmentalists are all white and wealthy, and its corollary that “Black people don’t do nature,” are both clearly false. The racist history of the environmental movement does continue to make many people of color, particularly African Americans, feel unwelcome in mainstream environmental organizations. But people of all races care about the environment. In fact, a recent survey […]
The Asian Environmental Movement
There’s a stereotype of environmentalists as white and wealthy, but it’s a dangerous idea that perpetuates low participation in well-known environmental organizations by people of color. The stereotype is also linked to an ongoing history of ignoring the involvement of those people of color who do work for the environment. A recent Yale survey of racial attitudes about climate change […]
The Latino Environmental Movement
The stereotypical environmentalist is white and wealthy, but it’s a dangerous and self-perpetuating idea. The best-known environmental organizations may have low participation by people of color, but people of all races care about the environment. In fact, a recent survey by Yale University found that Latinos take climate change more seriously than any other ethnic group. And they aren’t waiting […]
180 zoos, aquariums, and museums from all 50 states sign in support of 30×30 and America the Beautiful
In an unprecedented show of support for conservation, more than 180 zoos, aquariums and museums (ZAMs) from communities in all 50 states recently signed on to a letter of support for the Biden Administration’s America the Beautiful Initiative, and specifically the incorporated commitment to protect 30% of nature – lands, waters and ocean – by 2030 (“30×30”). Earlier this year, the […]
Speak for the fish!
Photo thanks to Jordan Robins The Lorax spoke for the trees, but who will speak for the fish? Our shared ocean, its life and its vast resources are put in the hands of our government for all people. It is no one’s private property but a commons that the government, and all of us, need to steward responsibly. From the […]
Philadelphia Zoo’s new video shows how to have “big time” success with 30×30
In this 3-minute video blog, the staff from the Philadelphia Zoo provide an exciting example of how zoos, aquariums and museums are successfully incorporating 30×30 messaging into their outreach. It’s an excellent example of how a conservation ask can be easily and effectively brought into any type of exhibit in a way that visitors appreciate and that can in turn […]
Previewing AZA 2021 – Sessions on Engaging the Public and Advancing Conservation
During the September edition of our First Friday Webinar Series we previewed some of the most exciting sessions on engaging the public and advancing conservation that will be part of the upcoming Annual Conference of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which will take place online from September 20-24. Cheryl Andrews, Director of Conferences at AZA, joined us to jumpstart […]