Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN) was named based on the Indigenous peoples’ creation story. TIRN borrowed this name in honor of their spiritual connection to the earth and to acknowledge the Indigenous ancestral lands where we conduct our ecological conservation work.

We recognize economic, social and environmental issues are interconnected, and welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities, abilities and cultures as necessary to create a healthy and just world.

We celebrate diversity in all TIRN activities while acknowledging that for there to be equity, people have different needs and desires in accessing opportunities. We believe that inclusivity goes beyond inviting a people in. It is maintaining an environment where people are genuinely welcomed, valued, respected, and supported. Inclusivity embodies a natural sense of belonging.

Within a centuries long system of institutional racism, sexism, and economic inequity in the U.S., including the environmental conservation movement, we recognize that we must continue to focus on our DEI commitment in an adaptive process to meet the needs of an ever-changing society. We must find discrepancies and listen to the needs of those who have had less access to opportunities and where equity is lacking.

Examples of TIRN’s current and historic DEI commitment:

• Indigenous and Tribal partnerships: participation in spiritual ceremonies; offerings of TIRN properties for cultural activities; provided fiscal sponsorship to Indigenous council to purchase land; consultations on watershed restoration projects with a local Tribe to ensure tribal cultural preservation and protection
• Internships: recruitment outreach to BIPOC and underserved communities
• Participation in BIPOC and LGBTQ+ events
• Watershed and salmon spawning tours: outreach to BIPOC communities
• TIRN citizen science turtle and shark research: collaboration with National Association of Black Scuba Divers
• Grant Applications: Economically disadvantaged school EE-BWet grant program
• TIRN/SPAWN Bringing Nature to Schools Program: collaboration with schools in underserved communities in SF Bay Area
• TIRN Naturalist Certification: outreach to BIPOC environmental groups
• Gulf of Mexico environmental justice: TIRN actively challenges EJ toxic pollution and climate change issues in marginalized communities
• Conservation Corps North Bay labor force: SPAWN projects incorporate funding for CCNB whose enrollment is over 80% BIPOC from underserved communities

For more information on TIRN’s Long Term Actions Demonstrate Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, click here.

TIRN’s commitment to continuous DEI advancement:

• Consultation with Indigenous and Tribal communities in all pre-project development/planning/cultural resource protection for watershed restoration projects
• Outreach to the city of Richmond, CA, the most marginalized community in the SF Bay Area
• Conduct creek tours for civil rights/social justice organizations
• Continue classroom and outdoor environmental education for K-12 students from marginalized communities
• Invite BIPOC/LGBTQ+ to join our board of directors
• Recruit BIPOC/LGBTQ+ people for staff and internship positions

Biological and cultural diversity are both fundamental to creating a sustainable and living planet. TIRN is committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion of people, identities, and cultures in all aspects of the organization.