Forests for Climate Resilience

Forests for Climate Resilience’s Action Camp Safer Space Policy

To be able to create a safer space for yourself, between yourself and others, within your community or at an event or a workshop, makes it hard for oppression to thrive. It stifles stereotypes, shrinks bias, expands perspective, opens communication, and creates an open learning environment. Forests for Climate Resilience (FCR) strives to create an inclusive community and set of spaces to share, learn, and act regardless of national origin or documentation, ethnic background, race, religious beliefs, gender, gender identity, gender expression, appearance, size, sexual orientation, physical ability, mental ability, ancestry, marital status, source of income, family status, or age.

The Forests for Climate Resilience organizers have a responsibility to advise and provide a copy of the safer space policy to all participants, volunteers, and presenters.  FCR organizers acknowledge the right for attendees to address concerns related to inclusivity and our safer space guidelines below and to have that concern addressed in a respectful and timely manner.

Please read and adhere to the safer space guidelines below:

1. FCR has a Zero Tolerance policy for discrimination. If an incident is reported, FCR organizers will take immediate action, which may include ejection from the camp and/or a permanent ban from all FCR conferences.

2. Presenters and trainers with a known history of sexual or discriminatory violence and/or abuse will not be booked to present unless they have participated in a demonstrable rehabilitative counseling or community accountability process. Camp organizers reserves the right to cancel any presenter upon discovery of any presenter history that is in violation of our policy.

3. Volunteers with known history of sexual or discriminatory violence and/or abuse cannot volunteer for FCR action camp or subsequent events organized by FCR unless they have participated in a demonstrable rehabilitative counseling or community accountability process. FCR reserves the right to dismiss any volunteer upon discovery of any presenter history that is in violation of our policy.

4. FCR will try to provide a safer space at camp for everyone by implementing a conflict mediation / vibes watch team. Please address any concerns you may have with this team. Camp organizers will work with the mediation team and participants to identify ways to make them feel safer.

5. Respect your own physical, mental and emotional boundaries.
Stay attuned to your own needs and remember that you are welcome to take space away from the group should you feel that you need time alone or away from the group. If something doesn’t feel right to you, please speak up. You may not be the only one who feels that way. If you don’t want to talk or answer a question, say so—don’t wait for someone to “get the hint.” Try to vocalize what you need. Be assertive if possible. If you have a concern with someone, be direct.

6. Respect others’ physical, mental, and emotional boundaries.
Always ask for explicit verbal consent before engaging or touching someone. Never assume consent. It is important to remember that consent is not always implied, even with folks to whom you are very close. Don’t assume the race, ethnicity, culture, sexuality, gender, history with violence, etc. of others. Instead, ask if someone is open to engaging in dialogue. Don’t take it personally if someone doesn’t want to answer a question. Respect the confidentiality of others. Respect the privacy of information, narratives, and experiences that others share with you. Be aware of the effect your behavior has on others and accept responsibility for it.

7. Respect others’ gender pronoun. If you don’t know what pronoun someone uses, please ask. Also, feel free to share your pronouns too!

8. Assume positive intent. We are all here to learn, and we all have something to offer. Clarifying questions are encouraged. Respect diverse opinions, beliefs, and points of view. Share ideas rather than judgements.

9. Being able to advocate for forests is both noble and it is a privilege.
It is critical to understand the history of colonialism when working on conservation issues. There is a direct and highly correlative connection between the extermination of native wildlife and the extermination of native peoples and their ways of life. Please be mindful when speaking about “public lands” and the management by native peoples on their land. Colonialism is ongoing today and must be acknowledged in our work to protect wildlife and wild places.