“Communities for Wildlife Conservation is an international, non-governmental organization committed to bolstering holistic conservation efforts for wildlife, the environment, and people through community, academic, and institutional collaboration. Our guiding principles for short-term and long-term goals are based on equity, inclusion, and transparency for all.”
It is a common misconception that STEM fields are unbiased in nature and not social entities, however, this is not the case. Science is built upon collaborating with one another, peer-revising research, working with field technicians, peers, students, professionals, and the public. It is of vital importance that we take important measures in every aspect to include diversity of people who have the right to these opportunities of advancement in wildlife conservation. Diversity, inclusion, and equity must be interwoven in the whole process from gathering and analyzing data, to teaching the findings to future generations. Groups of people with diverse backgrounds due to differences in socioeconomics, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and physical capabilities need an inclusive environment to succeed and further themselves in the path they choose for their future.
As an NGO, it is our responsibility to ensure a welcoming environment where people feel safe to learn, advance, and collaborate. Through disestablishing systemic barriers formed from colonialism, racism, sexism, ableism, xenophobia, and misunderstandings, we can then create a lasting inclusive environment where all can thrive in the conservation field. Through open, inclusive dialogue, we can foster an exchange of ideas across disciplines in and out of the field across the world.
We will recruit field technicians from different universities and organizations across the world with the goal of 50% of the people we work with and hire coming from the area/country where the work is being conducted. This will ensure local knowledge will be integrated into the project while contributing to worldwide cultural exchange and appreciation. We want the opportunity to learn from different perspectives stemming from growing up in these local areas, and we want to create experiences for local students and citizens that will empower them and contribute to their influence in the field of study through work and outreach. As scientists, we believe we are a unique community of people that must support one another to create a better environment in the current world and for future generations.
