Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

With a plurality of voices, we will inspire more people to come together to protect birds and the places they need.

Photo: Frank Luke

Audubon's Statement on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging 

The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

In order to achieve these goals, Audubon California has made equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging an organizational imperative. Protecting and conserving nature and the environment transcends political, cultural, and social boundaries. Respect, inclusion, and opportunity for people of all backgrounds, lifestyles, and perspectives will attract the best ideas and harness the greatest passion to shape a healthier, more vibrant future for all of us who share our planet. 

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff, board, volunteers, members, and supporters, and fostering an inclusive network within Audubon California's Centers and Chapters in all communities, from rural to urban. We respect the individuality of each member of our community, and we are committed to a workplace free of any kind of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, national or ethnic origin, politics, or veteran status. 

Audubon California is committed to cultivating a workplace community free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, where all of our flock feels welcome and seen. Audubon recognizes it’s important to never assume someone else’s gender. To that end, we implemented a voluntary initiative for all employees to share their pronouns in email signatures and interactions to create a more affirming workspace. More people proactively sharing our pronouns, regardless of gender identity or expression, fosters a workplace where the conversation is routine rather than a point of difference. Audubon California's employees of all gender identities and expressions are encouraged to participate, so transgender (including non-binary), gender non-conforming, intersex, and agender people don’t have to bear the weight alone.

Young volunteers working with native plants during Latino Conservation Week at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging is Part of Everything We Do In California

Whether we are in the field counting birds, engaging with youth on a habitat restoration project, or writing a grant report, equity is our daily work. Audubon California's staff in each of our offices, centers, and sanctuaries develop, evaluate, and improve our work programs and products based on principles of inclusion and equity. Here are some examples of this important work throughout the state of California.

Audubon Center at Debs Park – Los Angeles, CA
Debs Park staff launched Greening in Place: Protecting Communities from Displacement, a comprehensive resource for park developers, non-government organizations, local decision-makers, and community advocates to engage in equitable green infrastructure development. It will serve as a useful and impactful tool to advocate for investment and engagement with low-income communities and communities of color that have historically been excluded from and/or harmed by land use and environmental policy decisions.

Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary – Tiburon, CA
The Audubon Youth Leaders program centers on improving access to nature for all young people throughout Marin County. This nine-month internship for high school students nurtures and develops leadership skills as well as cultivates a deep conservation ethic. While immersing teens in hikes, kayak trips, and work in the on-site native plant nursery, staff authentically engage them in conversations about the values they bring to the environment. This program cultivates the next generation of conservation stewards and recruits students from alternative education programs and the juvenile justice system.

Starr Ranch Sanctuary – Trabuco Canyon, CA
This sanctuary relies on the dedication of seasonal employees to help with the removal of invasive plants, grassland restoration projects, and songbird monitoring work. Audubon California staff have made it their mission to hire people from all over the United States with a focus on recruiting individuals underrepresented in the conservation field. To date, over 200 young people have worked at Starr Ranch Sanctuary, gaining invaluable professional and personal nature-based experiences.

Kern River Preserve – Weldon, CA
Near a rural and economically disadvantaged community close to the preserve, Audubon California staff are establishing a new public access trail that will be more accessible to schools, families, and visitors. To ensure Native American cultural resources on the property are protected and properly interpreted, we’re in partnership with local tribal leaders.

Working Lands – Throughout the Central Valley
In partnership with environmental justice organizations, Audubon staff reviewed over 30 groundwater plans submitted under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Using an equity lens, we assessed each plan to ensure there was fair weight given to disadvantaged communities and stakeholders as well as adequate planning for clean drinking water, combatting climate change, and protecting the environment.

Field Offices - Sacramento and San Francisco
Audubon California’s finance, development, and leadership teams know that we need to do business differently to elevate diversity and inclusion. To that end, our staff make sure we support women and minority-owned vendors, contractors, and businesses whenever possible. We also support locally owned small businesses for many of our events.

Photo: Madison Roberts

On Birds and Belonging
Audublog

On Birds and Belonging

Growing up in the Philippines, Justine Villanueva shares her journey of leaving her homeland and healing her belonging through decolonization, learning to dwell, and connecting to birds.

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Art of Bird Drag
Audubon Artist Residency

Art of Bird Drag

Viral makeup tutorial, bird drag looks, and special interview with L Y L E, drag queen and Disney Prince.

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Celebrating Women at Audubon California
Audublog

Celebrating Women at Audubon California

We are proud to have so many amazing, talented women at Audubon California.

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Women in Audubon Conservation Ranching: California
Conservation Ranching

Women in Audubon Conservation Ranching: California

To celebrate Women’s History Month, we’re introducing you to the incredible women ranchers in California who are enrolled in Audubon’s Conservation Ranching Initiative. We asked questions, and they responded with fun, insightful, and birdy answers.

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“Birds help my ears learn how to listen.”
Bird-Friendly Communities

“Birds help my ears learn how to listen.”

How listening to birds can rehabilitate a child's ability to pay attention.

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Photo: National Audubon Society

News & Updates

Eyes On the Sea hits the Salton Sea shoreline. Audubon California recently launched a new program that provides opportunities for local youth to monitor birds at the Salton Sea. This is the terrific group from Indio High School this morning.

Op-ed: Now is California's chance to save the Salton Sea

In today's Desert Sun, Audubon California's Frank Ruiz urges the state to take advantage of the opportunity and finally do right by the Salton Sea.

A key quote:

This year brings a new governor and new administration leaders to this effort. This should be a defining year for the Salton Sea — a time when we as Californians can decide what kind of future we want for this unique place.

Audubon California’s message to Salton Sea policymakers: Don’t blow it
Press Center

Audubon California’s message to Salton Sea policymakers: Don’t blow it

— Representatives point out that the state and key stakeholders are poised to make up for lost time on one of the state’s most intractable environmental issues.
Speak Up for Birds at the Salton Sea
Audublog

Speak Up for Birds at the Salton Sea

State Water Board public hearing on March 19th to gather public input on Salton Sea Management Program.

Audubon California and EDF applaud efforts of So Cal water agencies to complete Drought Contingency Plan
Salton Sea

Audubon California and EDF applaud efforts of So Cal water agencies to complete Drought Contingency Plan

Drought Contingency Plan will bring important water stability to entire region, for the benefit of birds and communities

Visiting the Salton Sea
Salton Sea

Visiting the Salton Sea

A group of Auduboners visited the west side of the Salton Sea this week. Some pictures.

Rapid decline of fish at the Salton Sea prompts dramatic changes among birds

Article in the Desert Sun notes how the rapid decline in fish at the Salton Sea has prompted the near disappearance of fish-eating birds, such as White Pelicans. The state's new director of natural resources, Wade Crowfoot, acknowledges the crisis and vows to take action: "This is a top priority for the Resources Agency."

Stop calling the Salton Sea an accident
Salton Sea

Stop calling the Salton Sea an accident

It doesn't help solve the ongoing problems in the region, and it's also not true.

Dejen de llamar al Mar de Salton un accidente
Salton Sea

Dejen de llamar al Mar de Salton un accidente

No ayuda a resolver los problemas actuales en la región y tampoco es cierto.

2018 Farm Bill includes funding for Salton Sea

The Desert Sun highlights how the 2018 Farm Bill allows for federal funding for Salton Sea restoration.

How you can help, right now