Environmental Justice Conference (Virtual)

Watershed Action Alliance of Southeastern Massachusetts’ 2021 virtual conference addresses environmental justice as it pertains to clean and plentiful water, reconnected rivers, and healthy watersheds for all. Sign up for one, two or all of the three sessions and learn from local leaders and experts about this timely topic. The conference is free, although donations are encouraged to supplement the support of our sponsors, listed below. While much of the information is from southeastern Mass. and Rhode Island, the principles, issues and solutions are widely relevant.

March 17. 2021 | 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.

What is Environmental Justice?

The first session is What is Environmental Justice? during which you will learn:

• the definition of environmental justice (often abbreviated to “EJ”)
• how environmental justice populations are defined and where they are located in Massachusetts.
• some of the biggest EJ issues in the region
• details about Black and indigenous peoples’ engagement in clean energy development

The speakers will be Reverend Betsy Sowers; Kerry Snyder, J.D.; and Amelia Moore, Ph.D.

March 24. 2021 | 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.

Supporting Public Access to Recreational Waters

The second session, also boasts an exciting line up of presenters, who will speak about:

• the successful and popular Neponset River Greenway Trail, and how grassroots efforts, local support and targeted marketing increased usage by environmental justice community members and others
• Indigenous people’s rights to access ancestral fishing grounds in Massachusetts and beyond
• how social science, data collection and hearing from those most impacted can aid in making public access areas to water welcoming and available to Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities

March 31, 2021 | 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.

Promoting Environmental Justice: the First Steps

is the third and final session. Attendees will take the first steps toward implementing environmental justice by learning key terms and definitions, how to have authentic conversations about racism, and ways to implement anti-racist practices. They will also take away specific recommendations for how to continue this work after the session ends. Read more about session leader Livia Munck of C4 Innovations.