The Bruce Trail Conservancy is committed to preserving a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever. To make that a reality, we must do all that we can to help make the Bruce Trail and our organization a welcoming and inclusive space. We value and welcome diversity, and aim to be an accessible and inclusive community that honours, respects, and reflects the various ways people connect with the Bruce Trail and the Bruce Trail Conservancy
We recognize:
Social inequities can impact all aspects of our lives, including engagement with the outdoors, and with environmental and conservation organizations.
We all have different lived experiences both on and off the Trail that are influenced by race, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical/mental ability, socio-economic status, and many other visible and invisible identities.
Systemic barriers prevent many people from hiking, exploring nature, and engaging with conservation organizations, and many identities have been marginalized, threatened and under-represented in these spaces.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy has a responsibility to remove barriers, address bias and promote inclusion so that all people have the chance to discover and enjoy the benefits of our outdoors spaces and be a valued part of our community.
We commit to:
Fostering, promoting and celebrating an inclusive outdoors where people of all identities are represented and feel welcome.
Cultivating an inclusive culture and environment at the Bruce Trail Conservancy where staff, volunteers and program participants of all identities are encouraged and feel valued.
Identifying and working to remove barriers to accessibility and inclusion in Bruce Trail Conservancy places and spaces.
Seeking and including a variety of voices, perspectives, stories and imagery in our communications that reflect the rich diversity of the communities we serve.
Embedding diversity, equity and inclusion in all plans and strategies.
Approaching this work with respect, transparency, and a willingness to learn and adapt.
We believe:
Exploring nature is good for people’s minds and bodies, and the Bruce Trail is a powerful way to connect with the Niagara Escarpment’s natural wonders.
Everyone has a right to enjoy and to conserve our natural environment, and should be free to do so without experiencing discrimination.
Everyone should feel represented and included in outdoor spaces and the opportunities they provide.
Just as natural systems are more resilient and better able to adapt to changing conditions when they are biologically diverse, organizations are stronger when they are inclusive and diverse.
Fulfilling the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s mission of preserving a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever requires the inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives.
We are in the process of developing a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan that will provide concrete steps and goals for this work at the Bruce Trail Conservancy. In the meantime we continue to be guided by these commitments, our values, and our Anti-Discrimination Policy. Directions will continue to evolve as the Bruce Trail Conservancy learns. We will update this page as our plans evolve and look forward to sharing our progress.