First let me express my appreciation to the Paul F. Brandwein Institute for its follow through from the National Conservation Learning Summit in November, 2005, to its focus  today on “Partnership for Conservation Education.” A special word of gratitude to Dr. Cheryl Charles for her leadership.

We are all global children. This means the myriad of issues facing the planet and its inhabitants must be solved. To achieve a successful end, we must create a global chorus.   

The chorus can not afford to whisper--for in today’s age, to whisper is to be mute. The fault line of inaction is an option that is off the table.

This Summit is a clarion call for not only new partnerships, but more fundamentally a new paradigm where inclusion broadens our microphone. We must foster bundles of innovative partnerships so the synergy can bring healing through all parts of our environment. Can this clarion call create new paradigms and collaborations for nature conservation? I believe the answer is most assuredly yes.

Imagine:

1. Corporations encouraging minority business in sustainable business activities
2.  Environmental awareness in communities of color
3.  Innovative partnerships to address environmental justices issues.

By incorporating in these new partnerships the shared values of compassion, respect, and nurturing strategic initiatives rather than short-term exploitative approaches, we can make young and old alike aware of our shared responsibility for the entire habitat.

I am delighted to share the North American Association of Environmental Education’s direction with you--“walking the talk.”

When NAAEE decided to make diversity a core value, it strengthened its efforts to build the global chorus. Recognizing that all the people of the earth, whether in old ethnic industrial cities or in border towns, need to be a part of this effort to conserve our environment.

Today, people of color are on staff, and 40% of NAAEE’S current board represents ethnic, racial and cultural diversity. Such inclusiveness encourages and enhances our ability to recognize the subtle nuanced intersections where diversity, environmental and community health, sustainable business and the quality of life for all people can be navigated to move forward. This, as we say in the city, is making it real.

Making it real means distinguishing the ill health from idling cars and ill health where homes are built on landfills and molds develop from wet basements.

Making it real means understanding children can not succeed if they miss school from asthma attacks.

Making it real understands it is more difficult to communicate the benefits of connecting to the natural environment when experiencing ongoing and long-term environmental suffering.

Not having clean water from the tap may mean the water is polluted to some people, yet may mean the water bill has not been paid to others. Addressing these environmental justice issues within the framework of the new paradigm assists in building real bridges to communities of color and insures a larger global chorus for  participation in all conservation efforts.

With this in mind, NAAEE introduces its Minority Joint Venture Business Initiative. Our goal is to build sustainable bridges between big business and small businesses of color by stimulating entrepreneurs in business activities designed to maximize conservation.

By connecting environmental justice networks and long-standing environmental organizations with business, a sustained dialogue will create a new synergy for an inclusive vision where the well-being of our children and nature is the priority for the global chorus of conservation.

We at NAAEE have begun the journey and invite your participation. Join us this October in St. Paul to contribute and be a part of the Minority Joint Venture Business Initiative.