Friends,
Over the past two months, many members of our board, advisory board, and staff have been among the hundreds of thousands of people around the world rising up for Black Lives Matter. With the momentous wave of solidarity statements, we have been considering what Green Foothills’ position should be as an organization, and even whether or not we should make a statement.
Since the beginning of the year Green Foothills has undertaken a journey of self-examination in order to better anchor our actions in race equity. Among many reflections is the question as to how our mission and daily work to protect open spaces, farmlands, and natural resources intersects with systemic racism. As we encounter opportunities for action we intend to take full advantage of them. This is a long process, one that will require organizational resources and a resolute commitment to making racial equality central to how we as a conservation entity conduct our work and engage with the community. The events of the past month have magnified the gravity of our mission. It may be that a clear articulation of our statement will more fully emerge as we carry out effective actions that arise through this process.
We – the entire board, staff, and advisory board of Green Foothills – add our voices to those shouting BLACK LIVES MATTER. We support the community members and organizations that have been working for decades to achieve justice and true freedom for Black Americans.
Join us on the journey. As a place to start, we might read Why Every Environmentalist Should Be Anti-Racist by Leah Thomas, an intersectional environmental activist and Intersectional Environmentalist Council member. Thomas tells us that “the longer racism is not addressed, the harder it will be to save the planet, in part because Black activists’ time and energy are being drained.” Or listen to ‘Notice the Rage; Notice the Silence,’ an interview with therapist and trauma specialist, Resmaa Menakem, who suggests that one of the best first steps we can take is, “Shut up. Pause.” More than ever, now is the time to listen, reflect, learn, and act in support of calls to action from Black leaders.
Sending wishes of healing, compassion, and respect to our community.
Sincerely,
The Green Foothills Board of Directors, Advisory Board and Staff
Lawrence Ames Board Member – San Jose resident
Bryan Beck Board Member – Redwood City resident
Lauren Bigelow Advisory Board Member- Menlo Park resident
Matthew Burrows Board Member – San Carlos resident
Chuck Cantrell Advisory Board Member – San Jose resident
Jennifer Chang Hetterly Board Member – Palo Alto resident
Martha (Tate) Cohn Board Member – Menlo Park resident
Craige Edgerton Board Member – San Jose resident
Megan Fluke Executive Director – San Jose resident
Andrea Fraume Valencia Leadership Academy Director – San Jose resident
Kit Gordon Advisory Board member – Los Altos Hills resident
Uriel Hernandez Advisory Board member – East Palo Alto resident
Lee Houskeeper Advisory Board member – San Francisco resident
Julie Hutcheson Director of Impact – Morgan Hill resident
Laurie Jones Neighbors Advisory Board Member – San Francisco resident
Alice Kaufman Legislative Advocacy Director – Redwood City resident
Kris Lannin Liang Board Member – Moss Beach resident
Edmundo Larenas Board Member – Moss Beach resident
Leslie Lopez Holder Marketing Manager – Chicago resident
Margaret MacNiven Advisory Board Member – Woodside resident
Moises Mena Outreach and Administrative Coordinator – San Jose resident
Hyma Menath Board Member – Mountain View resident
Lisa Munro Board Member – Los Altos resident
Sarvenaz (Nazy) Fahimi Board member – Los Altos Hills resident
Cherise Orange Advisory Board Member – San Jose resident
Smita Patel Advisory Board Member – San Jose resident
Daniel Quinn Advisory Board Member – Portola Valley resident
Robert Reese Advisory Board Member – San Jose resident
Nancy Reyering Advisory Board Member – Woodside resident
Lennie Roberts Legislative Advocate – Ladera resident
Ricardo Samaniego Board Member – Los Altos resident
Katie Sanborn Advisory Board Member – El Granada resident
Brian Schmidt Interim Legislative Advocate – Belmont resident
Justyne Schnupp Community Engagement Manager – San Jose resident
Jeff Segall Board Vice President – Mountain View resident
Joan Sherlock Board President – Los Altos Hills resident
Lynn Stegner Advisory Board Member – San Francisco resident
Chris Sturken Advisory Board Member – Foster City resident
Charlie Tomberg Advisory Board Member – Foster City resident
Terry Watt Advisory Board Member – San Francisco resident
Jim Wickett Advisory Board Member – Woodside resident
Bill Whitmer Advisory Board Member – Mountain View resident
Will Wyman Development Director – La Honda/Oakland resident
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