Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Blue Forest

How does Blue Forest define DEI?

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are three terms with distinct meanings and importance in creating a welcoming workplace community.

• Diversity refers to the variety of people in an organization or community. It includes differences in race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, socioeconomic status, and more. Diversity helps Blue Forest collaborate with partners and meet restoration needs by creating an environment where everyone feels welcome.

• Equity is fairness and equality in outcomes regardless of someone’s differences (like race or gender). Equity is recognizing people’s different lived experiences based on their identities and working to address those differences.

• Inclusion means creating a space where everyone feels valued, respected, and welcomed regardless of their differences. When people experience belonging, they can bring their whole selves to work—their skills as well as their experiences with racism or other forms of discrimination.

What is our philosophy and approach to DEI?

Blue Forest believes a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team is a strong, resilient, and successful one. Our leadership team understands the importance of these values and will continue to devote time, effort, and financial resources to embed DEI in our culture and organizational decision-making.

To embody our mission and dedication to DEI at Blue Forest, we’re excited to take actionable steps in the following areas:

• Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention: We recognize the value of and strive for all forms of diversity within the organization. Given the racist and exclusionary histories of the financial management and environmental fields, we recognize a significant need for Blue Forest Conservation to build a working environment that addresses the oppression of historically and currently marginalized people. We are committed to changing this through recruitment, hiring, and retention of candidates of color and other underrepresented groups, at all levels of the organization. Ahead of planned team growth (our staff recently doubled in size), our internal DEI Hiring and Strategy Subcommittee met with an external DEI consultant to audit our hiring and onboarding practices.

• Engagement with Tribal and Native Nations: We seek to build transparency, honesty, and culturally competent communication with all parties. We aim to build authentic community and tribal partnerships throughout FRB development and implementation. We commit to developing internal and external processes that facilitate tribal inclusion, including providing financial resources to support tribal and native nations’ participation where appropriate. Our Tribal Engagement Subcommittee is in the process of hiring an Indigenous Community Liaison & Digital Strategist. This position will lead partnership efforts with tribal communities, work to support and amplify the voice of native peoples, and provide strategic guidance on the consideration and inclusion of tribal issues in the development of project plans, programs, and policies.

• Environmental Justice in Project Development: We commit to advancing projects that align with the priorities of local and historically marginalized communities. We seek to elevate historically marginalized perspectives throughout the project development process, support local/rural workforce development, and embed equity principles in investment criteria.

• Culture Alignment with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Principles: We seek to create a culture where all employees feel they belong and feel their physical, mental, and emotional well-being is prioritized from the top down. With resounding support from the leadership team, Blue Forest will continue to audit and amend our systems internally and externally (through our DEI consultant) to reflect these commitments in everything we do, from our employee handbook to our communications strategy.

 We value your questions, comments, and feedback. Please start the conversation by filling out our website contact form or emailing connect@blueforest.org.