August 12, 2020

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The Middle Grand River Organization of Watersheds Board of Directors stands in solidarity with all members of our watershed community and the nation, regardless of skin color or ethnicity. We have been thinking deeply about the harm of racism in our country, both historical and current, especially as it affects environmental policy.

 

We acknowledge the systemic injustices and pervasive racism that occurs every day for people of color. We recognize that traditional environmental policy, design and practice leaves Black, Indigenous, and people of color with greater exposure to pollution and limited access to outdoor spaces in our watershed. We pledge our commitment to equity, justice, and inclusion as we continue our journey as an environmental organization – which strives to do better – in bridging the link between social justice and environmental action.

 

In this, we will address how inequity and privilege intersect with our work in environmental spaces and will work to challenge the structural elements that sustain this legacy. We are committed to assisting in the fight for racial equity and to engaging allies in addressing the environmental injustices that disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous, and people of color in our watershed.

 

Our role in this community is to preserve, protect and enhance the Middle Grand River Watershed, but our approach must, and will, be inclusive. 

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-MGROW Board of Directors

 

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