In November, PennFuture, CDRW and the Choose Clean Water coalition, who works primarily in the Chesapeake, collaborated to draft and submit a joint coalition sign on letter commenting on updates to the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) interim final Environmental Justice Policy The formal public comment period closed on November 30, 2023, and now DEP is working on a comment-response document for comments received during this period.
Tacony Creek Park Map Available in Seven Languages
Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership (TTF) is proud to announce that maps for Tacony Creek Park, the city’s 300-acre watershed park that was created in 1915 to protect Tacony Creek, are now available in seven languages: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Haitian Creole, Arabic, and Khmer. These are the languages spoken the most by residents living in the neighborhoods surrounding the park.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Messaging & Social Media Guide
CDRW has an exciting update! We are happy to announce the launch of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) Messaging & Social Media Guide. This is a resource to help and guide organizations in talking about DEIJ and different environmental topics. The messages and tips included are evergreen; they are not about one specific event or holiday and can be used whenever throughout the year. In addition, this document includes many extra resources to learn more about environmental topics and DEIJ.
Celebrating the Intersection of Great Outdoors Month and Pride Month: Embracing Nature and Inclusivity in Communications and Engagement
As June begins, we are presented with a convergence of celebrations: Great Outdoors Month and Pride Month. These two occasions create an intersection where we can embrace the wonders of nature while honoring and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. This intersection presents an opportunity to foster inclusivity, encourage dialogue, and cultivate an appreciation for habitats and identities, both complex and diverse in their own respects. In this blog, we will delve into the significance of this intersection and its power to generate meaningful conversations, promote understanding, and celebrate the unity of nature and LGBTQIA+ communities.
To Honor Pride―Avoid Rainbow-washing this June and Beyond
What Rainbow-washing Means:
Every June, in honor of Pride, companies and organizations are quick to turn their logos rainbow to express their “allyship” of the LGBTQ+ community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus).
This passive gesture, however, isn’t showcasing how brands actually support and advance LGBTQ+ rights, or promote inclusivity in their marketing, programmatic efforts, overall structure and more. This empty proclamation has a name, rainbow-washing, which alludes to promoting “equality” online while demonstrating minimal commitments to reducing oppressive policies posed onto marginalized communities.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Environmental Leaders & Organizations to Celebrate
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month- a time to uplift voices in the AANHPI communities. In celebration of the month, CDRW is highlighting AANHPI environmental leaders and environmental organizations. Join us in celebrating and acknowledging the impact the AANHPI communities have on the environmental movement this month and every month!
Women Environmentalists to Celebrate this Women's History Month
Over the last century, women across the globe have become increasingly prominent in environmental movements. In celebration of March being Women’s History Month, CDRW is highlighting ten inspirational women who have dedicated their lives to environmental advocacy, and whose legacies continue to inspire the next generation of women environmentalists.
The Role of Coalitions in Propelling Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Work Forward
By Mariah Davis (Choose Clean Water) and Ellen Underwood (Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed).
Coalitions, collaboratives, and networks play an integral role in promoting new ideas, building connections, and exploring new avenues for support. As the only national nonprofit whose sole purpose is to connect and strengthen the nationwide network of local water protectors, River Network has used our role to educate ourselves and groups across the network on topics such as equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)*. We are not alone in this work; our partners Choose Clean Water (CCW) and the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed (CDRW) have created resources, priorities, and welcoming, safe environments in which to discuss these topics.