Building Green Justice Forum 2019: Potential Through Place

Hosted by Huston-Tillotson University –

The modern environmental justice movement is rooted in the galvanizing recognition that our fates are linked to the places we live and work…and that often for people of color, those places are ignored, under-resourced, and overly burdened with polluted air, water, and soil. And yet these places are also home to the environmental justice community’s pride, strength, and motivation. Place holds multiple meanings. In the sciences, we often describe an organism’s place in its ecosystem with two parameters: its habitat (physical location) and its niche (role in the community). From those two dimensions, a complexity of interactions emerge which define sources of both resilience and vulnerability. Our human ecosystem is no different.

This year at BGJF, we want to examine the layered ways that place speaks to EJ history, identity, and, perhaps most importantly, our potential to transform the entire environmental movement to center equity. Through speakers, workshops, and focused discussions at this year’s forum, we will lay out the locations and roles that define EJ’s place today and where and how it can grow in impact and in resilient strength.

We are thrilled to announce this year’s keynote speaker: Professor Chris Schell, University of Washington, Tacoma

Chris Schell is an urban ecologist whose research integrates evolutionary theory with ecological application to disentangle the processes accentuating human-carnivore conflict. Specifically, Chris’ interests lie in understanding the endocrine mechanisms that underpin carnivore behavior, as well as explicitly examining the anthropogenic drivers (i.e. human densities, roadways, pollution, interactions) that select for bold, habituated, and less fearful individuals in metropolitan areas. His research is uniquely tied to the community: urban ecology is inherently a synergy of anthropogenic forces and natural processes. Hence, he often works closely with underrepresented communities, wildlife managers, cultural institutions, and philanthropic organizations to help foster mutually enriching relationships among people and wildlife.

Forum is free and open to the public. You can RSVP here.

Events will run 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM on the Huston-Tillotson University campus.

Forum Schedule:

• 8:00-8:30 am Arrival and Light Breakfast
• 8:30-9:00 am Forum Welcome – HT President Colette Pierce Burnette and Forum Co-Organizers Dr. Karen Magid and Dr. Amanda Masino
• 9:00-9:30 am – Opening Speaker – Dr. Rosalee Martin
• 9:30-9:45 am – Local Organization Spotlight
• 9:45-11:25 am – Panel discussion
• 11:30 am-12:30 pm – Lunch (provided, vegetarian options available)
• 12:30-1:45 pm – Keynote speaker – Dr. Chris Schell, University of Washington-Tacoma
• 2:00-3:00 pm – concurrent Workshops 1
• 3:00-4:00 pm – concurrent Workshops 2

Light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Informal community happy hour being organized from 5:00-7:00 pm and venue will be announced soon.

Map of Forum locations found here.