Statement on Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
At Mahoosuc Land Trust, we envision thriving communities and a healthy environment for all. In making this a reality, we recognize ongoing work is necessary. MLT is at the very beginning of our learning journey, and we have a long way to go. But we believe in the power of small steps forward, and are committed to doing what we can, with the resources we have, to create a more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive community in our little corners of Maine and New Hampshire.
Beginning with its inception in the late 19th century, the conservation movement, and within it organizations, institutions, and groups committed to environmental protection, unfolded amidst a country embroiled in racism, nativism, xenophobia, sexism, and class conflicts. Within this context, a movement that was originally oriented around the protection of natural spaces from exploitation and development became infused with these harmful ideologies. Recently, though there have been efforts made to incorporate justice into the environmental movement, inequity continues to persist.
What Have Been Done So Far
2016
-- Accessible trail system at Valentine Farm
2017
-- Valentine Farm “Guiding Principles” adopted by MLT Board, formally recognizing that “Community conservation is the work of bringing diverse people together and honoring their need and desire for connection to nature and to place”
2019
2020
-- Extension of MLT universally accessible trail to Bethel partnering with Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation
2022
-- Sept 2022 Board Meeting – presentation and deep discussion on MLT’s need for preliminary statement summarizing MLT’s DEI process
-- Oct 2022 Board Meeting – Conversations and reflection on MLT’s DEI process
2024
-- MLT participates as a full partner in Sebago Clean Waters' ongoing equity-informed strategic planning process (multiple sessions)
-- DEI focus incorporated into Development Coordinator’s 2025 Work Plan
If you’re interested in learning more about what other organizations are doing to support historically marginalized communities in the outdoors, explore these pages below!
Promotes year-round education and training for individuals with disabilities in order to develop skills, enhance independence, and provide enjoyment through active recreation.
Provides financially accessible group programs in order to develop an inclusive uphill community and offer opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to try ski touring and/or split boarding.
Fosters strong support networks and strengthens community belonging for LGBTQIA+ adults in Maine by creating and increasing LGBTQIA+ visibility, resource accessibility, and community building outdoors.
A community of youth and adults who use their diverse lived experiences and collective empowerment to co-create youth-centered programs and partnerships that encourage leadership, learning, exploration, and growth, all grounded in radical accessibility and relationships rooted in equity and care.
Further Resources
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The Rise of the American Conservation Movement: Power, Privilege, and Environmental Protection by Dorceta E. Taylor
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From the Ground Up: Environmental Racism and the Rise of the Environmental Justice Movement by Luke W. Cole and Sheila R. Foster
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Bowman, A. (2020). A necessary reckoning. Land Trust Alliance. https://landtrustalliance.org/blog/a-necessary-reckoning
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Taylor, D. (2022). Toppling the Monument to Silence: Racism and the Founding Fathers of Environmental Organizations. Nonprofit Quarterly. https://nonprofitquarterly.org/toppling-the-monument-to-silence-racism-and-the-founding-fathers-of-environmental-organizations/