June 4, 2020
Dear Sacramento Audubon Chapter Members:
As the events of the past week have demonstrated, there are dangers facing our fellow birders, naturalists, and nature lovers who are people of color. Since Christian Cooper’s experience in New York City’s Central Park went viral, more people of color have come forward with their harrowing and heartbreaking stories sharing the lengths to which they must go to work, study, or just enjoy the outdoors.
We would like to draw your attention to National Audubon Society’s swift response in support of Christian Cooper::
“Black Americans often face terrible daily dangers in outdoor spaces, where they are subjected to unwarranted suspicion, confrontation, and violence,” said Audubon SVP for State Programs Rebeccah Sanders. “The outdoors – and the joy of birds – should be safe and welcoming for all people. That’s the reality Audubon and our partners are working hard to achieve. We unequivocally condemn racist sentiments, behavior, and systems that undermine the humanity, rights, and freedom of Black people. We are grateful Christian Cooper is safe. He takes great delight in sharing New York City’s birds with others and serves as a board member of the New York City Audubon Society, where he promotes conservation of New York City’s outdoor spaces and inclusion of all people.”
As board members of the Sacramento Audubon Society, we wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments expressed by National Audubon. We applaud their efforts to work towards a more equitable society and we commit to doing the same as an organization. Through education, outreach, and collaboration we plan to expand our support of our fellow (and future) birders of color locally to ensure everyone has access to, and can enjoy birds and the natural world. We know there is much work ahead of us but we view these challenges as opportunities for positive change. We hope we can count on your support.
Sincerely,
Members of the Board, Sacramento Audubon Society
For more information on National Audubon’s response visit
https://www.audubon.org/ news/audubon-statement-incident-central-parks-ramble
For more information on #BlackBirdersWeek visit
https://www.audubon.org/news/ black-birders-week-promotes-diversity-and-takes-racism-outdoors