Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

It’s been a landmark year since TNC welcomed its newest ERG, the Alliance for Diverse Asian & Pacific Islander Talent with Nature (ADAPT With Nature). The group got off to an impressive start with a full 10-member steering committee representing multiple TNC business units throughout the U.S. and Asia-Pacific regions. Guided by two co-leads and an Executive Leadership Team sponsor, stakeholders engaged in early strategic planning sessions to develop a name, logo, mission, and vision. Meanwhile, the group grew its listserv audience to more than 180 recipients (and counting), while hosting a TNC Survey API Report Out, Lunar New Year events, short-film watch parties, career leadership panels, and monthly Teatime Talks.

Over the next two years, the group will continue adding members, allies, events, and programs that align with its core values and mission: To celebrate and share the strengths and diversity of the Asian and Pacific Islander community in order to be visible and vocal at all levels of TNC.

“My hope is that we will see an increase of API representation throughout TNC and that our diverse cultures, holidays, and celebrations will be acknowledged by our colleagues. I am also excited to share more stories next year so that we can continue highlighting the diverse diaspora and experiences of API staff.”

—Grace Kim, TNC Technology Learning Center Senior E-Learning Designer/Developer and ADAPT ERG Communications Lead

The focus of EverGreen ERG is to honor the value of staff contributions through all stages of the career lifecycle by celebrating longevity, promoting cross-generational learning, and providing information to support TNC employees’ successful transition into their post-career lives.

Part of that mission involves recognizing that colleagues’ circumstances can vary. Some may be concerned about having enough money to retire comfortably; others may be unsure how to contribute to TNC’s mission while making time to fulfill other interests and obligations. To address concerns like these, EverGreen hosts a variety of calls to help staff explore flexible work options, hear from other TNC employees who have transitioned in various ways, and learn how to plan for health care and other costs.

For colleagues: you are invited to join the conversation on TNC's intranet, Connect.

“Each of us is responsible for our own career path, but by sharing information, we can help light the way for each other. I hope EverGreen can respond to the needs of staff around the world, and that all the ERGs support each other and diverse staff, at all stages of our careers. It’s our differences that make us stronger!”

— Debra Jones, Senior Donor Communications Officer and EverGreen Co-Lead, TNC Global Development

Since its formation, the League of Employees of African Descent (LEAD) ERG at TNC has focused on the importance of representation and elevating the perspectives of Black colleagues and members from the Africa, Caribbean, and Latin America regions. The group took that mission astep forward in 2023 by growing its steering committee with representation from the Caribbean, and our Africa and Latin America region.

With Hip Hop Yoga and Black Poetry Day sessions; Honest Conversations on Black Resistance and Resiliency; and sponsoring 21 staff members to attend virtual and in-person events at the bi-annual Taking Nature Black conference, where constituents engaged and connect with others across the organization.

In addition, members of LEAD collaborated during Black History Month to create the first-ever LEAD playlist on Spotify, titled Songs of Black Resistance & Resilience, featuring songs submitted by colleagues representing different regions across the Conservancy.

“LEAD helps demonstrate accountability on the part of TNC by creating a safe space for employees of an African descent to utilize TNC resources without fear or favor. And also Support the recruitment and retention of employees of African descent across the organization.”

— Marjorie Chushi, Operations Coordinator, TNC Africa

The Multicultural Employee Resource Group (MERG) was founded in 2013 with the purpose of increasing global representation and cultural competency at TNC and in the communities we serve. The group made a number of strides toward its mission in 2022, including the launch of Humans of TNC, a collection of personal stories and experiences from colleagues across the Conservancy. In addition, MERG has begun compiling recipes from global colleagues in a cookbook designed to celebrate cultural heritage and underscore TNC’s vastly diverse multicultural fabric.

Colleagues interested in obtaining copies or sharing their own recipes and stories for future versions of these publications are encouraged to email merg@tnc.org.

“Witnessing the enthusiasm and boundless energy from my fellow ERG members for this work is truly inspiring, and it instills in me a sense of optimism and hope. Together, we have the potential to transform TNC into an exceptional workplace and serve as a positive example for the world.”

— Priyanka Anand, Programme Associate, Regenerative Agriculture, TNC India

To help guide TNC colleagues and business units with their Pride celebrations across the globe, Nature’s Pride created a Pride Participation Guide and Toolkit.

TNC Europe was excited to work with Nature’s Pride to be part of the annual Berlin Pride Festival in Germany on July 22. See TNC's LinkedIn post about the event. For centuries, Berlin has been celebrated internationally as an epicenter of queer culture and refuge for LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and additional sexual identities) artists, writers, musicians, and intellectuals. Nature’s Pride will have representatives in attendance in Berlin and the message of TNC’s banner is centered around speaking up for all people which will further the ERG’s ongoing mission to:

• Celebrate the role of diversity in nature

• Elevate LGBTQ+ voices in conservation decisions

• Learning from the diverse communities TNC relies on to mitigate climate threats

• Denounce homophobic practices and policies that harm LGBTQ+ identities and rights

“As a conservationist and mother of a transgender son, the connection between conservation and LGBTQ rights is deeply personal to me. By supporting this year’s Berlin Pride, TNC is helping amplify voices in celebration of diversity, inclusivity, and the fight for equality.”

—Marianne Kleiberg, Regional Managing Director, TNC Europe

In observance of International Mental Health Awareness Month, StigmaFree ERG hosted over 40 TNC employees for a film series throughout October. The films covered a different theme each week following a common mental health journey, from experiencing symptoms, talk about it, getting help, and then living with the condition. Attendees were invited to exchange reactions, personal stories, and other meaningful dialog between each film viewing session.

“We have heard from our members that sharing concerns openly and learning that they are not alone empowers them to share these concerns with more colleagues and even supervisors. We hope that through these open sessions and the support groups we have funded, we are helping colleagues give themselves permission to advocate for what they need to be successful.”

— Jenael Falcao, Learning Manager, Marketing & Communications

In its ongoing efforts to help TNC colleagues recognize and celebrate the value military personnel bring to conservation, the Veterans In Nature’s Service (VINS) ERG at TNC achieved a number of important DEIJ-focused milestones this year, including:

· Establishing nature.org/military to veterans and military family members with TNC stories, project highlights, employment opportunities, and more.

· Reaching out to the U.S. military community via Military and Veteran Success Centers on university/college campuses and Military and Family Readiness Centers at U.S. installations. VINS is working to fulfill TNC’s commitment to having at least 5.7% of employees identify as military veterans.

· Individually mentoring military veterans, military spouses, and transitioning military members to build careers in the environmental nonprofit workspace.

“I was inspired to join VINS to help others understand the benefits of bringing on veterans and their how their unique skills can help us accomplish our mission. For instance, I learned how to collaborate across many different departments and job families, follow-through with tasks, and stay the course.”

— Erik Oberg, IT Manager and VINS Steering Committee Member, TNC California

Celebrating its momentous tenth anniversary in 2023, TNC’S pioneering ERG, Women In Nature (WIN), reaffirmed its commitment to fostering gender equity and inclusion while fortifying its partnerships, programs, events, and initiatives to drive meaningful change. 

In March, the group participated in Conservation Trailblazers at TNC, co-hosting an engaging discussion panel with partner-colleagues from Men as Allies (MAA) as well as the inaugural inter-NGO webinar in honor of International Women’s Day in collaboration with WWF, CI, and Care. In other significant strides, WIN expanded its generous sponsorship of the WINning Professional Development portal, an innovative platform that connects women with career advancement opportunities, and facilitated two sessions of the "Enhancing Your Career as a Woman" webinar in partnership with EverGreen ERG.

WIN will soon share an updated mission and vision, which centers on helping colleagues advance TNC’s 2030 Goals through gender-equitable networking opportunities and events. Interested colleagues can subscribe to WIN communications, become a member, or join MAA by emailing win@tnc.org. 

“We embrace the journey we are on with all of you to ensure that gender equity and inclusion are the norms, making TNC a great place to work and making us stronger and more effective by unleashing the potential of all women in all positions across the globe.”

— Jill Bieri, Volgenau Virginia Coast Reserve Director and WIN Co-Lead, TNC Virginia

The Young and Emerging Professionals (YEP) ERG strives to understand and meet the diverse needs of TNC employees—nearly one-third of whom are aged 35 or under. The group’s ambassadors, in partnership with the YEP Steering Committee, advanced that goal this year by expanding the YEP Presents webinar series, which invites diverse speakers from across the Conservancy to share their advice, professional stories, and growth opportunities for colleagues. Recent installments of YEP Presents have featured collaborative presentations by:

· Dong Ke Oester, Director of China Global Engagement and Bob Tansey, Global Policy Lead, Degraded Lands and Restoration (June, 2023)

· Michelle Machasick, Coda Fellowship Program Director (March 2023)

· Carol Caggiani, Latin America Regional DEI Project Manager and Brazil L-WIN Representative (November 2022)

· Sachiko Graber, Minnesota Associate Director of Climate (July 2022)

· Kelly Leo, Maryland Senior Conservation Projects Director (July 2022)

· Rane Cortez, Senior Advisor, Equitable Carbon Markets (April 2022)

In the coming year, organizers will focus on expanding their network of YEP Ambassadors committed to planning events, presentations, and learning opportunities for fellow young professionals at TNC. All interested colleagues are invited to reach out to YEP@tnc.org to learn more.

“Starting at an organization as large as TNC can be overwhelming to navigate, especially when many of us are working remotely. In the past few years, we have seen increasing global diversity within TNC. With this, we have seen an increase in non-U.S. staff interested in becoming a greater part of the YEP community, which has been fantastic to witness! A more diverse steering committee and community will ensure that we can learn from and represent all young and emerging professionals at TNC.”

—Tessa Foorman, Global Ocean Protection Program Associate and YEP Co-lead, TNC Colorado