Once a month from April through July 2021, Newport Bay Conservancy’s committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will present a speaker to inform us about experiences and perspectives of people of color in environmental organizations.
All talks are virtual, free, and open to anyone. Closed captioning will be provided for accessibility.
Tues., April 20th, 5:30-6:30 pm PST – WATCH THE RECORDING HERE
Marcos Trinidad, Audubon Center at Debs Park Center Director
“Supporting a Holistic Approach to Urban Conservation”
As Center Director for five years, Marcos has nurtured a growing community of volunteers, youth and community partnerships; implemented a facility and grounds improvement plan; and partnered with the National Park Service to establish a vibrant native plant nursery. Born and raised in Northeast Los Angeles, where his family has lived for 70 years, Marcos has deep roots in the community. Prior to coming to Debs, he served as Director of Audubon Youth Environmental Stewards (a program of the Palos Verdes/South Bay Audubon Society), where he engaged and inspired youth to connect to nature and their community through restoration and volunteer projects. He has also spent time as a Biology Technician for the U.S. Forest Service and an Urban Forester for both Northeast Trees and TreePeople. Marcos’ formal education is in geology and anthropology. For two decades, Marcos has advanced equity, diversity and inclusion in the environmental movement, including co-directing LA’s Environmental Professionals of Color chapter. Through that work, Marcos promoted and sponsored forums for people of color working in environmentally-related careers. He was recognized in 2017 by the North American Association for Environmental Education as the recipient of the Rosa Parks and Grace Lee Boggs Award for his leadership in environmental justice, education and advocacy.
Tues., May 25th, 5:30-6:30 pm PST – WATCH THE RECORDING HERE
Eboni Preston, Director of Operations, Greening Youth Foundation (Atlanta, GA)
“Creating Pathways to Environmental Stewardship and Leadership”
Eboni is a management professional with a background in non-profit administration, program operations, and workforce development. With a commitment to social, economic, and educational justice, Eboni currently serves the Director of Operations at the Greening Youth Foundation. With a desire to see a change in the world, she is a member of the Georgia Conservancy’s Generation Green Board, a Sustainability Ambassador for the City of Atlanta’s Mayor’s Office, a Steering Committee Member of the Public Lands Service Coalition, a member of the Southeast Regional Council for National Parks Conservation Association, a board member for the Next 100 Coalition and Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and the Labor and Industry Chair for Georgia NAACP. Eboni is also committed to serving as a mentor and facilitator with the Children’s Forest of Georgia’s Next Generation Forest Service Ambassadors and Forest for Every Classroom programs. Eboni holds a Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Administration from Kennesaw State University, a Master of Science in Social Work and Nonprofit Management from Columbia University, and Bachelor of Arts from Duke University.
Tues., June 22nd, 5:30-6:30 pm PST
Dina Gilio-Whitaker, member of the Colville Confederated Tribes, educator, and author
“Environmental Justice in Indian Country”
Gilio-Whitaker (Colville Confederated Tribes) is a lecturer of American Indian Studies at California State University, San Marcos, and an independent educator in American Indian environmental policy and other issues. At CSUSM she teaches courses on environmentalism and American Indians, traditional ecological knowledge, religion and philosophy, Native women’s activism, American Indians and sports, and decolonization. She also works within the field of critical sports studies, examining the intersections of indigeneity and the sport of surfing. As a public intellectual, Dina brings her scholarship into focus as an award-winning journalist as well, contributing to numerous online outlets including Indian Country Today, the Los Angeles Times, High Country News and many more. Dina is the author of two books, including the recent award-winning As Long as Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice from Colonization to Standing Rock. She is currently under contract with Beacon Press for a new book under the working title Illegitimate Nation: Privilege, Race, and Accountability in the U.S. Settler State.
Tues., July 27th, 5:30-6:30 pm PST – recording coming soon
Orange County Environmental Justice Leaders
“Bringing the Fight for Environmental Justice to Orange County”
NBC welcomes leaders of Santa Ana’s Orange County Environmental Justice in an overview of three current projects. The presenters will discuss:
- PloNo Santa Ana, a monitering project during which samples were collected throughout residential, industrial, school, park, and roadway land use zones and tested for lead content. From the samples collected and tested, all land use types had samples exceeding both state and federal guidelines.
- Photo Voice, a research method that invites participants to take photographs that best capture their personal experience with accessing potable water and/or document runoff pollution in Orange County. Images can serve as a way to provide a voice for people who otherwise may be unheard. Especially marginalized communities.
- Protect Puvungna, a collaboration with Acjachemen and Tongva activists in identifying and protecting sacred Indigenous sites in Orange County.
