Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The PAEE DEIJA Learning Community is looking for new members! PAEE membership is not required to participate, and we welcome all individuals who are excited to explore issues related to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) within the field of Environmental Education. As a part of this group, we will listen and learn from each other on the third Wednesday of every month on zoom. Our intent is to co-create goals for our group and to build this new community slowly together. Your input and sweat equity will be important in that process. 

As a group, we will focus broadly on:

  • Connecting with professional development opportunities for furthering our learning both within and beyond PAEE
  • Providing a space for convening around JEDI issues within EE
  • Standing with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) environmental educators and environmental educators with marginalized identities in support and allyship
  • Identifying action strategies for intentionally integrating JEDI into the fabric PAEE and our organizations

If you are interested in being a part of this group please complete this Google Form and one of the committee members will be in touch. 

Moving forward, PAEE will prioritizing the following action steps in response: 
  • Form a permanent working committee to assess and address intersectional issues of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion
  • Allocate budget funding for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in conferences and other programs for professional training facilitated by BIPOC Assess programs (e.g., conferences, scholarships, awards, nonformal EE certification) to make sure they are achieving goals related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion
  • Support our board and our members through professional development in examining white supremacy and privilege that manifests in outdoor spaces and public lands  
We invite our members to step up and join us as allies to join in this critical work by:
  • Share stories or resources related to how your organization is responding with us via social media or by contacting stacey@paee.net 
  • Attend upcoming conferences, webinars, workshops, and training related to DEI
  • Share any upcoming related professional development opportunities offered by different organizations with us via social media or by contacting stacey@paee.net
  • Hold us (and each other) accountable. You can contact stacey@paee.net
  • Identify where you are personally in your own learning, and take steps to advance in this area.
  • Serve with PAEE’s DEIJA Learning Community. Contact stacey@paee.net to be added. 

PAEE has been exploring ways to support programming for diverse audiences and promote diversity since at least 2008. Take a look at our history.