Philosophy:
We believe that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment is critical to the success of our community and the fish, wildlife, and conservation biology profession. Conservation and management of fish and wildlife, and addressing human impacts to their populations locally and globally, requires diligence, strategic thinking, and collaboration. A growing body of literature demonstrates that inclusion of diverse groups in science increases creativity, innovation, and productivity. We believe such strengths are needed to address the myriad of challenges facing fish and wildlife conservation today.
We recognize that inclusivity in our department can only flourish with ongoing learning, active and intentional efforts to address inequities, and a collective sense of responsibility. We also recognize that numerous structural barriers to inclusion have led to the lack of diversity in the fish and wildlife profession. As such, we are committed to strive to dismantle inequities through our actions, and to foster a culture where diverse people, ideas, and methods thrive. We aim to amplify voices from all identities, backgrounds, races, ethnicities, genders, nationalities, mental and physical abilities, sexual orientations, ages, and religions, among others.
While the department has made intentional progress to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ), we acknowledge that there is still much work to do. Below we highlight examples of our ongoing efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in our Department, and also provide links to DEIJ resources in FWCB, in the Warner College of Natural Resources (WCNR), at Colorado State University, and beyond:
Highlights of FWCB DEIJ Accomplishments:
The established FWCB DEIJ committee, which includes faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students, meets monthly during the academic year and works with the department to advance DEIJ efforts. Highlights of our department’s accomplishments include:
- To increase accountability to DEIJ, we agreed to include DEIJ activities in faculty annual evaluations
- We developed new curricular materials on DEIJ in fish, wildlife, and conservation that FWCB faculty members are incorporating into their course materials
- We devote at least one faculty meeting per year to DEIJ training
- We developed an inclusive hiring toolkit to guide DEIJ-aware student and faculty recruitment
- We developed and deliver DEIJ lectures every year to incoming undergraduate and graduate student orientation courses to increase student cultural competency
- We no longer require submission of GRE scores in the graduate student selection process
- FWCB graduate students regularly engage in an anti-racism reading discussion group
- We developed a graduate student guide to clarify grad student policies, fees, and procedures
DEIJ Resources:
FWCB DEIJ Strategic Plan: A key resource, updated annually, highlighting our ongoing and planned DEIJ efforts
WCNR Diversity and Inclusion Program
WCNR Diversity and Inclusion Resources
Resources for First Generation students in WCNR
Diversity and Inclusion in Natural Resources Minor
Mental Health, Well-Being, and Multicultural Resources for Students
CSU Office of Inclusive Excellence
CSU Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Continuing Education Resources