By Washington’s National Park Fund’s Board of Directors
Washington’s National Park Fund is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion for all people, a commitment we share with the National Park Service and Washington’s three largest national parks. By actively funding projects that give access and opportunities to traditionally underrepresented communities, and by building an organization whose donors and partners represent diverse cultures, backgrounds and life experiences, we become more fruitful stewards and champions of Mount Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic National Parks. These values are paramount to the Fund and guide its day-to-day actions.
Our mission is to raise funds to deepen the public’s love for, understanding of and experiences in Mount Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic National Parks. Our National Parks were created for the people; our National Parks are for everyone.
Yet generations of racism have entrenched deep inequities in our culture, some visible and some less so. With humility and contrition, we acknowledge in particular the social and economic injustice that has been, and continues to be, inflicted on Black Americans. We believe unequivocally that Black lives matter. Racism has no place in our world, in our cities or in the outdoors.
Washington’s National Park Fund is fully committed to equity and access in our parks and in 2018 convened a standing team to specifically address and advance efforts related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. We know we need to do more. Washington’s National Park Fund commits to redoubling our efforts toward actionable, mission-driven change that makes the parks accessible for EVERYONE.
To that end, we are examining more deeply the role we play in equity and access. We want to grow and diversify as an organization, board and staff, and to identify steps that support access and opportunities for traditionally underrepresented communities in the parks we support: Mount Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic National Parks. All three occupy the ancestral land of native peoples.
We may not always get it right, but we are invested in doing better. We will be honest, thoughtful and authentic in our approach. We will lean in with kindness and grace, and listen to the voices of traditionally underrepresented communities for guidance as we continue our own education and action.
We recognize that progress comes through action. We will publish our new learnings and additional steps by August 31 to be both transparent and accountable.
Learn more about our efforts.