Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Multi-colored lights shining on Main Hall Multi-colored lights shining on Main Hall

Welcome to the W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee webpage!

The FCFC DEI Committee is focused on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work and engagement, including in the classroom, laboratory, field, and our everyday encounters with each other.  We are a group of students, staff, and faculty working intentionally to better understand issues of injustice in our academic and professional communities and working to develop strategies for furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion in these spaces.  The committee was formed in 2020, and active committee members for 2021-2022 are listed below.

We are currently focused on several initiatives, including: 

  • Surveying FCFC students, staff, and faculty on DEI needs and challenges;
  • Reviewing DEI work of comparable academic institutions;
  • Developing a strategic plan to pursue DEI goals and achieve measurable outcomes;
  • Auditing FCFC policies, procedures, and practices through a DEI lens;
  • Recruiting speakers embedded in DEI-related research and teaching for College and University audiences; and,
  • Facilitating student listening sessions and faculty conversations on DEI-related topics.

Updates on these initiatives will be posted here on an ongoing basis.

Please provide feedback 

StudentsPlease provide feedback to the FCFC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee about any issue related to diversity, equity, inclusion, access, or justice that impacts you as a student, staff, or faculty member, or that you would like to see addressed.  All feedback and comments are helpful.  Constructive, specific and/or actionable comments and suggestions are encouraged as well as appreciated.  Thank you in advance for your feedback on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at UM and FCFC.

Click Here to Provide Anonymous Feedback to the FCFC DEI Committee


*Please note this is not the appropriate forum to report discrimination and/or misconduct.  Contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX to report discriminatory behavior or incidents.  You have the right to report anonymously and without further participation in any investigation.

DEI Committee Members

  • Lindsey Barnard, PhD 3rd year, Fish & Wildlife Biology
  • Cierra Keith, MS, Resource Conservation
  • Eliana Moustakas, MS, Resource Conservation
  • Holly Nesbitt, PhD 4th year, Forest & Conservation Sciences
  • Jaclyn Rushing, PhD 2nd year, Forest & Conservation Sciences
  • Ada Smith, PhD 4th year, Forest & Conservation Sciences

  • Sydney Bish, Senior, Ecosystem Science & Restoration
  • Elani Borhegyi, Junior, Environmental Science & Sustainability
  • Grace Erba, Senior, Wildlife Biology
  • Janet Lansburgh, Junior, Wildlife Biology
  • Justina “JJ” McDirmid, Senior, Environmental Science & Sustainability
  • Emily Ruta, Junior, Wildlife Biology

DEI Resources at UM

Events & trainings will be listed here when they are scheduled.

DEI Seminars

09/08/2020:  Dr. Alan Townsend, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation Dean
"Eyes Wide and Endless"

09/14/2020:  Dr. Daniel Wildcat, Haskell Indian Nations University
"TEK: An Antidote to Anthropocene Destruction"

09/28/2020:  Aja Desmond, Earthtone Outside,
"Confronting Our Biases in Outdoor Spaces"

10/15/2020:  Terry Baker, Society of American Foresters CEO
"If You Want to Go Fast, Go Alone. If You Want to Go Far, Go Together."

10/29/2020:  Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Ocean Collective
"A Conversation About the Intersection of Environmental and Social Justice"

09/28/2021:  Dr. Linda Moon Stumpff, retired Professor at Evergreen College
“Tribal Engagement with Wildlands: Recognition, Resilience, Restoration and Resolve.”  Dr. Moon Stumpff discusses her work with Crow on climate change and watersheds.  (No link available, not a public talk.)

10/12/2021:  Dr. Natasha Stavros, Director of the Earth Lab Analytics Hub at the University of Colorado-Boulder
"The Wicked Wildfire Problem and Intersectionality with Environmental Justice."  Dr. Stavros discusses the “wicked wildfire problem”, specifically highlighting environmental and social justice issues embedded in approaches to mitigate and live with megafires.

11/02/2021:  Dr. Serra Hoagland, Researcher with the US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Fire and Fuels program and USFS liaison with SKC
“A synopsis of Mexican spotted owl research with the Mescalero Apache Tribe.”

12/07/2021:  500 Women Scientists Co-Founder Kelly Sierra and Executive Director Emily Pinckney
“Making science open, inclusive, and accessible requires change at all levels.”

Open Box Folder of DEI Resources for Faculty, Staff, and Students