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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility for Land Management

The burdens of climate change disproportionately affect people of color, indigenous communities, people who are disabled, and other marginalized groups. This page outlines key diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility concepts and features an initial set of practical resources for land managers to promote more equitable land stewardship and reduce unequal burdens.

Historically marginalized communities are disproportionately facing environmental hazards and the consequences of climate change (Fifth National Climate Assessment 2023). These hazards and consequences are compounded by the fact that marginalized communities generally have less capacity and resources to adapt to change. As climate change worsens, land degradation, food insecurity, and displacement will continue to hit certain communities the hardest, compounding existing inequities. This increases the importance of addressing these disparities in conservation planning, allocation of resources, and management activities.

DEIA Defined

The USDA Forest Service’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Action Plan is designed to encourage more inclusive participation of people that have historically limited involvement of marginalized races, ethnicities, or identities in both formal and informal settings. Efforts to promote DEIA create an environment in which all people not only feel welcome, but also able to thrive.

The USDA Forest Service defines DEIA in its Action Plan as:

  • Diversity: The practice of including the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, cultures, and beliefs of the American people, including underserved communities.
  • Equity: The consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment.
  • Inclusion: The recognition, appreciation, and use of the talents and skills of [people] of all backgrounds
  • Accessibility: The design, construction, development, and maintenance of facilities, information and communication technology, programs, and services so that all people, including people with disabilities, can fully and independently use them.

DEIA initiatives were developed in response to historical and ongoing inequities in society that affect marginalized groups (Golden 2024). These inequities are often rooted in systemic discrimination that has neglected the perspectives of certain populations, preventing them from fully and actively participating in societal, professional, and educational settings. Although there have been strides to combat openly discriminatory laws, significant inequalities persist (Rothstein 2014). DEIA can help address barriers and ensure equal opportunities.

DEIA and Land Management

Increasing diverse and equitable representation of all people is especially salient in land management considering marginalized communities have been systematically excluded from land ownership and decision-making processes for centuries. This exclusion has resulted in unequal access to resources, environmental degradation, and forced displacement that disproportionately harms Indigenous peoples, communities of color, and rural populations (Donoghoe and Perry 2023).

This history continues to shape who makes decisions about the land today. For example, the National Woodland Owner Survey, administered by the Forest Service, indicates that white males older than 65 are the largest demographic of primary decision-makers on private forest lands (Butler et al 2020).

It will be a long process to remedy historical discrimination and promote equitable land management practices moving forward. Those involved in land management activities can actively work to support more equitable decision-making surrounding the land. Some resources are provided below to consider for land managers to better understand how to contribute to more equitable land stewardship.

Resources for Further Engagement

Land Trust Alliance: Framework and Resources for Change Toolkit

This guide aims to support the land trust sector in better engaging with and meeting the needs of all people through an interactive tool featuring case studies, recommendations, personal actions, and more. These components build upon each other to provide a comprehensive guide to foster both individual and organizational growth.

This resource can be used as an online course.

Community Engagement Workbook

This workbook serves as a template to develop a tangible community engagement work plan specific to projects with a step-by-step, tailored, and engaging format. The curated prompts and context encourage thoughtful and equitable community engagement.

This resource can be printed and completed by hand.

Public Lands Curriculum

This curriculum features interactive activities and engaging narratives to foster a more authentic and complete understanding of the history of our public lands and its implications for personal connections with the land. This resource also features a sizable section on the intersection of climate change, equity, and biodiversity as well as contemporary issues in public lands management.

This resource can be used in a group setting to facilitate collective learning.