This week has been a unique and beautiful experience in Washington. Our cohort traveled to Bayview State Park and ventured throughout learning through the story telling lens of diverse stakeholders. One day it was a marine center collecting samples of crabs, snails and worms and another day was identifying the microscopic life of tide pools.
I am grateful for the experiences I have made, the cohort that chose me, and what’s to come. Makes me think more diversely about the face of conservation and the voices that deserve equal representation. How do we decolonize and return to the science, sustainability, and innovative engineering practices that our ancestors performed long ago? That is a question that I am continually shaping in my studies and recognizing the hard questions.
It’s all about biodiversity and biocultural diversity. My definition of diversity and inclusion falls within the concept of sustainability in that our world meets present needs for all without compromising equity now and in the future. I want diversity to be fueled by a sense of justice and the preservation of culture. These cultures need to be celebrated in their natural environment and have the right to explore all opportunities without fear of ill-treatment.
I am glad that I have 6 more weeks of this unique experience. The idea is that we all express our identifies and be truthful to ourselves.
