MNTWS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee
Brief History
Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee was formed in 2020 at a time when societal issues (including divisive politics, civil unrest, and racial injustices) were at the forefront while we simultaneously endured a global pandemic. At that time, leadership of the Minnesota Chapter of The Wildlife Society (MNTWS) began providing a forum to discuss these issues and their impacts on our members and our work. What was initially just a space to talk as an informal group quickly evolved into a formal MNTWS DEI Committee so that we could continue to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in our chapter.
In 2020/2021, we conducted a non-scientific survey of our membership that helped us develop a list of priority action items to help build a more inclusive MNTWS chapter. The survey helped us identify both general and conference-specific action items (see full report here), and our DEI Committee has used these action items as a sort of road map to guide our work ever since.
Purpose
The MNTWS’s mission is: To inspire, empower, and enable wildlife professionals to sustain wildlife populations and habitats through science-based management and conservation in Minnesota.
Aligning with this mission, we are committed to the identification and removal of barriers to recruitment as well as effective mentoring, retention of a diverse workforce, and communication with a diverse range of individuals and groups.
DEI Travel Awards
As funding allows, the MNTWS DEI Committee offers travel grants to help support annual conference attendees from historically marginalized groups or who otherwise face DEI-related barriers to annual meeting participation. Individuals from groups previously underrepresented in wildlife professions based on racial, ethnic, sexual and/or gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, individuals with disabilities, and individuals who are neurodivergent are especially encouraged to apply. Preference for funding is given to applicants who have a role in the conference or are presenting a talk or poster, but this is not a requirement to be considered for the award.
Current Members
(listed alphabetically)
Nicole Davros
Kat Dickerson
Michelle Doerr
Katelin Goebel
Kristin Hall
Mark Hove
Megan Howard
Want to know more?
Please send an email to Nicole Davros if you would like your name added to our MNTWS DEI Allies email list. We promise to spam you with no more than 2-4 emails/year with updates on our committee’s activities.
Additionally, we are always looking for fresh insights and new ideas, so we welcome anyone interested in becoming a committee member. Just reach out to us and let us know you are interested.