WSA’s DEIJ Committee, led by WSA Program Coordinator, Noelle Chao, and WSA Chair and Vice-Chair, Frank Dawson and Carmera Thomas-Wilhite created a three-phase plan that includes:

• Personal and organizational learning for the Board and Staff

• Organizational and programmatic equity assessments and goal-setting

• Stakeholder engagement and strategy implementation

Summer

With funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Keith Campbell Foundation and numerous donors, WSA hired two equity firms to provide assessment and strategic direction for our equity work.

Defensores de la Cuenca was hired in June 2021 to assess the Replant Anne Arundel program with the aim of improving equity in the contracting process and helping increase the number of Latinx communities we serve.

JIJ Impact was also hired this summer to:

• Lead the Board and Staff through continued DEIJ learning

• Assess WSA’s organization as a whole to identify opportunities for equity improvements

• Assist the Board and Staff to clarify equity goals

• Create strategies for achieving those goals

Fall

WSA Leadership shared a DEIJ Update.

In November, WSA partnered with Anne Arundel County Public Library to host an Environmental Justice panel in order to raise awareness about how environmental inequities across the watershed are being addressed. View our Resources page for more information.

Winter

WSA continued working with our DEIJ consultants, JIJ Impact and Defensores de la Cuenca on several exciting projects.

Jeff Johnson and Michael Ramsey worked with staff and board to develop a Vision and Values Statement for WSA. A small team worked on refining the organization’s new DEIJ Strategic Plan.

Abel Olivo of Defensores de la Cuenca developed a concept and outreach strategy for WSA’s new Tree Ambassador Program.

In February, Abel, Jeff, and Michael were speakers at plenary sessions for WSA’s Annual Conference.

Spring

WSA’s Board and Staff shared a letter with constituents, updating them on progress made by the organization over the past few months.

WSA’s Board approved the DEIJ Vision and Values Statement and the new DEIJ Strategic Plan.

With support from libraries, schools, congregations, County partners, and the Greater Baybrook Alliance, WSA Staff applied for grants to fund future projects in North and West County.

WSA presented on Hiring and Retention best practices to the new Anne Arundel Watershed Equity Initiatives Group, made up of representatives from local environmental organizations like Arundel Rivers, Severn River Association, and Unity Gardens.

Summer and Fall

In September, WSA received a large grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to help us connect with residents in Northern and Western Anne Arundel County. By partnering with key communities and gaining a better understanding of their needs and interests, we hope to design and implement Stewardship programs that will speak to residents in under-resourced parts of the county and dismantle barriers that have existed in our traditional offerings.

WSA Staff developed Data Collection Guidelines, with a particular emphasis on formalizing when and why we collect demographic information from our constituents. The data we gather will help us identify areas where we can improve as we work towards making our programs accessible and inclusive.

In Summer 2022, the Restoration Team launched the Tree Ambassador Program, a new initiative for Replant and our first bilingual training, providing stipends to individuals who bring trees to underserved areas with limited tree canopy. The first cohort started training in July and they led fall plantings in Brooklyn Park and the City of Annapolis.

Steward Candidates in Class 14 successfully completed WSA’s first capstone projects in Brooklyn Park, with plantings at the Brooklyn Park Library and Belle Grove Elementary.

Winter and Spring

WSA’s Certification Course invited Fred Tutman, the Patuxent Riverkeeper, to speak to the Steward Candidates about Environmental Justice. This session in January marked the first time that the class hosted a speaker on this topic.

WSA’s Annual Conference in March featured Pam Brown of the Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families, who raised awareness about poverty and inequities in Anne Arundel County. Another session featured speakers who spoke about local beaches, segregation, and water access.

WSA began working with Charles Brown and Xavier Lofton of Equitable Cities on the first phase of the NFWF grant. Although listening sessions and surveys were delayed, Staff continued to build community connections and refine the objectives of the Equitable Stewardship project.

Summer and Fall

WSA’s Groves of Gratitude progrm raised $2,275 for The Complete Player Charity, a local non-profit organization that provides extracurricular programs to empower underserved youth.