Injustices and systemic prejudice pervade the environmental and conservation movements, which have been shaped by a history of exclusion, colonialism, and privilege. The reality is that these movements have uprooted native peoples from their lands, marginalized environmental concerns of the underprivileged, and chronically excluded non-normative people along the lines of class, race, gender, orientations, ethnicities, and cultures. This history of injustice and the resulting homogeneity, especially in the United States, hinder the environmental movement and its efforts to include people of all colors, ethnicities, backgrounds, orientations, and identities.
Project Dragonfly is resolved and engaged in dismantling the exclusionary structures in the environmental and conservation movements. Every week, we are inspired by Dragonfly students, alums, instructors, and partners who engage deeply in communities, expand boundaries by interacting with diverse stakeholders, and work to ensure the types of inclusive spaces needed for civic participation and progress. We also know that committing to create a just society for all includes having difficult conversations with ourselves about diversity, equity, and inclusion.
We as workers engaged in the movement are only beginning to come to terms with these injustices and resulting inequality. Addressing these challenges is going to take all of our combined and sincere efforts. Part of the solution, we believe, lies in educational practices that are more deeply rooted in communities and more committed to genuine dialogue. We find hope in new approaches that bring people together to advance a just and sustainable future.
Below are some of the steps we’ve taken and will continue. We welcome further ideas and have included contact emails below.
Student Recruitment – Since the inception of its master’s degrees in 2009, Project Dragonfly has implemented policies directly focused on reaching students traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields. Beginning in 2018, Dragonfly additionally connected with state and regional organizations for bilingual education, more than 100 colleges and universities notable for their high minority enrollment, and more organizations who have underrepresented minorities as members. In 2017, 14.2 percent of the students admitted to Dragonfly master’s programs identified as African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic, Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander. In 2020, that percentage had increased to 21.4 percent. Most of our admitted students identify as female, consistent with trends of women in the life sciences and education fields.
Students, Staff, Curriculum, and Program – Current instructors and full-time staff complete Diversity, Equity & Inclusion training, and staff members continue to seek additional DEI training. A student-led cooperative of Project Dragonfly students, alumni, staff, and affiliates formed and is committed to diversity and inclusion both within the program itself and in the greater conservation and education fields. We have created Dragonfly Diversity Cafes in an effort to elevate marginalized perspectives on diversity, equality, and inclusion-related topics in environmental and conservation settings. In accordance with Miami’s Strategic Diversity Plan, Dragonfly continues to investigate how to further integrate DEI ideas into its curriculum. During 2020-2021, we identified curricular opportunities to include DEI-related topics in our core courses. We have updated curricular materials to engage on environmental history, justice, and inequality in the United States. Our plan is to continue this evaluation and update of curricular material.
Suggested Resources and Articles
- Anti-Racist Resource Guide from Miami’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion
- Anti-Racism and Environmentalism
- On the Stubborn Whiteness of Environmentalism
- How Green Groups Became So White and What to Do About It
- Intersectional Environmentalism
- Miami University Office of Institutional Diversity
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resources for Dragonfly Students (requires login)
Additional Resources
NAACP’s 10,000 Steps to Environmental and Climate Justice Project Toolkit
Black Lives Matter
Anti-Racism Resources
The Turning Point for Real Change by Barack Obama
NAAEE’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
If you are interested in or have ideas to support Dragonfly’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives, please contact a Dragonfly adviser at Miami University:
–Jamie Bercaw Anzano at bercawj@miamioh.edu
–Katie Feilen at feilenkl@miamioh.edu
–Jill Korach at korachjk@miamioh.edu
–Kevin Matteson at matteskc@miamioh.edu
