{"id":14207,"date":"2020-06-03T16:27:15","date_gmt":"2020-06-03T20:27:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=14207"},"modified":"2020-06-03T16:27:16","modified_gmt":"2020-06-03T20:27:16","slug":"standing-up-for-what-is-just-and-equitable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/standing-up-for-what-is-just-and-equitable\/","title":{"rendered":"Standing Up for What is Just and Equitable"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>This week marks my first week as President of Mass Audubon. I had planned to introduce myself to all of you by sharing my excitement and enthusiasm for what lies ahead. And I am extremely excited to meet with so many of you who are committed to our important mission. But given the extraordinary times we are in, I feel it is important to use this opportunity to take a stand for what is just and equitable for people of color here in Massachusetts and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like many of you, I am appalled by the injustices and acts of violence against racially marginalized groups. The gruesome events that have unfolded in the past weeks and months have rattled me. In particular, the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor and the protests that have followed illustrate the historic, systemic racism and environmental injustice that exists in our country towards people of color, specifically Black people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fighting for what is right is core to Mass Audubon&#8217;s mission. The organization was founded by two women fighting for the protection of birds, and has since expanded that fight over the last 124 years to comprise all things surrounding conservation, education, and advocacy for the protection of not only wildlife, but also people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One fight that I know we need to amplify is the fight for racial and environmental justice. For far too long, Brown and Black people have found everyday activities like jogging or birding unsafe and have disproportionately suffered from significantly lower air quality as a result of toxins, pollutants, and greenhouse gases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I recognize that we have more work to do to right these wrongs. I will dedicate my first few months to gaining a better understanding on how I and Mass Audubon can not only contribute but serve as a model for the Commonwealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I will listen to our staff members, especially those of color, on how we can support them and move forward as an organization; I will work with partners and grassroots organizations to ensure everyone has access to clean air, clean water, and open space; I will continue our focus on the climate crisis, which causes people of color to bear the burden of some of climate change\u2019s worst impacts; I will work to ensure we create access to our sanctuaries and trails that is safe and welcoming to everyone; and I promise to make diversity, equity, and inclusion at the forefront of what we do from this day forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I hope you will join me in standing in solidarity with those fighting racism and injustice, and share your thoughts on how we can make Mass Audubon a stronger community that uses our voice for people and wildlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sincerely,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/web.massaudubon.org\/images\/content\/pagebuilder\/DOneill_signature-720x241-7c6a6908-9468-4d5f-9736-37669e.png\" alt=\"David O'Neill Signature\" width=\"180\" height=\"60\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>David J. O&#8217;Neill<br>President<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This week marks my first week as President of Mass Audubon. I had planned to introduce myself to all of you by sharing my excitement and enthusiasm for what lies ahead. And I am extremely excited to meet with so many of you who are committed to our important mission. But given the extraordinary times [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14212,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14207","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/06\/KForesto-3237.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-3H9","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14500,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/towards-an-equitable-net-zero-future\/","url_meta":{"origin":14207,"position":0},"title":"Paving the Way Towards an Equitable, Net-Zero Future","author":"Rishya N.","date":"August 4, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Photo \u00a9 Rishi Jain. Last week the Massachusetts House\u00a0passed\u00a0our priority climate bill, An Act creating a 2050 roadmap to a clean and thriving Commonwealth\u00a0(H.4912).\u00a0The\u00a0bill includes\u00a0critical\u00a0language\u00a0highlighting\u00a0the role of natural and working lands in reaching net zero emissions, as well as\u00a0protections for\u00a0frontline\u00a0communities.\u00a0This action\u00a0brings\u00a0us one step closer to making an equitable carbon neutral\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Advocacy&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Advocacy","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/advocacy-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/08\/1185rishijain4121.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/08\/1185rishijain4121.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/08\/1185rishijain4121.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/08\/1185rishijain4121.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16185,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/making-inclusive-equitable-access-to-nature-real\/","url_meta":{"origin":14207,"position":1},"title":"Making Inclusive &#038; Equitable Access to Nature Real","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"August 17, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"A Q&A with Meghadeepa Maity, Organizer of Arcadia\u2019s Sitting Duck Award-Winning Team This year\u2019s Bird-a-thon included a new competitive birding award: the Sitting Duck for most bird species observed while remaining in a 25-foot circle. The West Team took home the award in an intentionally inclusive event organized by volunteer\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Birds &amp; Birding&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Birds &amp; Birding","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/birds-birding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/08\/BAT-Big-Meghadeepa750.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/08\/BAT-Big-Meghadeepa750.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/08\/BAT-Big-Meghadeepa750.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/08\/BAT-Big-Meghadeepa750.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14950,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-power-of-camp\/","url_meta":{"origin":14207,"position":2},"title":"The Power of Camp","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"November 19, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Today is\u00a0Summer Camp\u00a0Day of Action\u00a0for Black Lives.\u00a0 As a statewide conservation organization that operates\u00a019\u00a0nature\u00a0day camps and a residential summer camp\u00a0serving\u00a0more than\u00a015,000 campers, we stand with our colleagues and friends in the camp world\u00a0affirming\u00a0that\u00a0Black Lives Matter at Camp.\u00a0\u00a0 Nature itself is untainted with prejudice; however,\u00a0too many Black and Brown community members\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Kids at camp","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/0042_RoxburyLatin2017_042_750.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/0042_RoxburyLatin2017_042_750.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/0042_RoxburyLatin2017_042_750.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/0042_RoxburyLatin2017_042_750.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16633,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/2021-annual-report\/","url_meta":{"origin":14207,"position":3},"title":"2021 Annual Report\u00a0","author":"Kaylin D.","date":"February 1, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"It\u2019s safe to say, that 2021 was an eventful year for Mass Audubon. In March of 2021, we adopted our ambitious five-year Action Agenda. The plan focused on three main goals: protect and restore resilient landscapes, advance inclusive and equitable access to nature, and mobilize to fight against climate change.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Ian Barton - Waseeka, Hopkinton, MA common yellowthroat","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/01\/Annual-Report-2021.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/01\/Annual-Report-2021.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/01\/Annual-Report-2021.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/01\/Annual-Report-2021.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14913,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/paris-agreement-whats-next\/","url_meta":{"origin":14207,"position":4},"title":"Leaving the Paris Agreement: What\u2019s Next?","author":"Rishya N.","date":"November 11, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Mass Audubon Ipswich River wildlife sanctuary \u00a9 Jared Leeds Born from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change\u2019s\u00a021st summit, the Paris Agreement pledges to keep global temperature rise below\u00a02 degrees Celsius.\u00a0This agreement\u00a0was pivotal, demonstrating international dedication to collectively reducing and mitigating the effects of climate change. Since its inception\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Advocacy&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Advocacy","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/advocacy-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/1503_MA_Audubon_05_0927.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/1503_MA_Audubon_05_0927.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/1503_MA_Audubon_05_0927.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/1503_MA_Audubon_05_0927.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13126,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/stand-with-youth-climate-strikers\/","url_meta":{"origin":14207,"position":5},"title":"Stand With Youth Climate Strikers","author":"Alexandra Vecchio","date":"September 18, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"On September 20,\u00a0Mass Audubon will stand with millions of people of all ages around the world to amplify the voice of youth activists who understand the urgency of climate change.\u00a0\u00a0 We have partnered with Youth Climate Strike Massachusetts to share our support and stand in solidarity with youth and adults\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Climate&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Mass Audubon Supports Youth Climate Strike","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/09\/MAClimateStrike_blog.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/09\/MAClimateStrike_blog.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/09\/MAClimateStrike_blog.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/09\/MAClimateStrike_blog.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14207","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14207"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14207\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14211,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14207\/revisions\/14211"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14207"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14207"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14207"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}