Revised January 28th, 2022
The goal of Colorado Forest Restoration Institute’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (DEIJ) team is to build and enhance a shared understanding of how our organization implements inclusive practices in our work. CFRI’s mission is to collaboratively develop and apply science-informed solutions that reduce wildfire risk and restore forest resilience. Our success is dependent on our ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work with diverse groups of students, faculty, staff, professional partners, and community stakeholders. The DEIJ team will develop, support, and/or implement initiatives that foster a more inclusive culture, increase diversity and enhance equity amongst our staff, and contribute to improving social justice issues impacting forest and fire research and management. The Team will address contemporary DEIJ issues in the organization in the context of historical exclusion and marginalization in natural resource professions and society. In alignment with Colorado State University’s Commitment to Inclusive Excellence, CFRI uses the broadest possible definition of diversity and is committed to welcoming diversity in age, culture, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity, and expression, geographic background, marital status, national origin, perspectives, race, religious and spiritual beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and veteran status. By promoting a culture where different perspectives are valued and respected, yet also held accountable to facts and reasoned discussion, a culture of accountability develops amongst all staff as well as between CFRI and our partners.