ALNC COMMUNITY ETHICS
Caring for ALL People and Their Relationship to Nature
We acknowledge the First Nations that came before us, specifically the Ho-Chunk Nation, on whose ancestral land the Aldo Leopold Nature Center sits.
We believe that diverse communities are healthier — in nature and in society. We also know that we operate within societal systems that are too often unjust and flawed, and we all have work to do towards celebrating diversity and making our community equitable for everyone. We acknowledge this painful reality and share our support for people of color and others who do not feel safe, especially those who continue to struggle against racism and inequality. We see you. We see our community hurting from these injustices.
We are used to turning to nature for solace and comfort. But we also recognize that nature and other public spaces may not feel safe and healthy for all members of our community. We are committed to supporting EVERY person’s right to connect with the natural world and to reap the benefits of spending time outdoors without fear.
We believe that when we are inclusive in how we engage and educate, we can help students know that NATURE IS FOR EVERYONE and should be a safe place to learn and explore. In recent years, we have been putting great efforts towards inclusion, diversity, equity, and access; we also acknowledge that we have a long way to go, in our organization, in our field, and in our society. We are grateful for individuals, families and partners who have been working with us to move in the right direction, and we pledge to continue to prioritize this important work.
To learn more about how we are caring for ALL people and their connection to the land, please visit our Community Ethics & Nature page.
As always, please contact us to let us know how we’re doing and to share ways we can better serve you, our community.
In solidarity,
The Aldo Leopold Nature Center Staff and Board
