DEI in Context: Advancing DEI in Natural Resource Management

Abstract

In February 2021, a group of Vermont Natural Resource Conservation Districts (NRCD) and Vermont Association of Conservation Districts (VACD) staff sought out master’s students studying at the University of Michigan’s (UM) School for Environment and Sustainability to conduct research supporting efforts on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the NRCDs. Over the course of 14 months, this group of staff—referred to here as the Core Team—worked diligently with the UM Research Team to explore the wants and needs of the NRCDs pertaining to DEI. Both the Core Team and the UM Research Team sought to center the voices of NRCD and VACD staff and board members in this DEI work.