Southeastern Massachusetts
Learn along with WAA as we explore environmental justice and issues of equity, diversity and inclusion in water conservation and watershed health in preparation for our March 2021 conference on these topics.
Each month at our meetings we will hear from a Southeastern Massachusetts neighbor from a group historically underrepresented in watershed associations and in discussions about environmental health and protection.
Underrepresented groups include communities of color, those for whom English is a second language, people with disabilities and those with low income.
Many of these communities are inequitably harmed by impacts to the environment while receiving fewer benefits associated with a healthy environment, such as clean drinking water and access to water recreation.
In May, Melissa Ferretti, the president and chair-lady of the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe located in Plymouth spoke to us at our meeting.
Although we didn’t record her presentation as we will later ones, you can find other materials for the learn-along posted on our website.
Read about Ferretti and her vision as president, how to speak respectfully about Native Americans, and about traditional ecological knowledge and what this can teach other cultures.
Each month we will post more short readings, websites to visit, and other materials, such as video. Learn along with the WAA members to prepare yourself for the March 2021 conference.
If you would like to speak at one of our meetings, or know someone who would, or would like to suggest an article or other reading material for consideration, please contact WAAcoordinator@nsrwa.org (Dorie Stolley).
And, although we had to cancel the legislative breakfast, 2020 State of Our Waters, due to Covid-19, we have been reaching out to legislators with our revised fact sheets, urging level funding for important budget line items and supporting critical bills.
We at WAA look forward to seeing you in person at the March 2021 conference! In the meantime, please learn along with us and expand your knowledge of environmental justice, diversity, equity and inclusion.
Sincerely,
Dorie
Dorie Stolley