Meridian, Soil and Water Conservation Society Deliver DEI Guidebook for Conservation Professionals 

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Today, in collaboration with the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS), Meridian has released “A Conservation Professionals’ Guide to Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Conservation Delivery with Historically Underserved Producers and Communities“. The guide will assist Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation professionals and partners in equitably working with historically underserved communities for conservation technical assistance. 

Meridian designed and executed a roundtable series that brought together historically underserved communities, nonprofits, and conservation professionals to directly inform the guidance. The roundtable series centered equitable engagement practices, including paying participants for their time and experience and choosing to leave the client (funder) out of the discussions to promote a safe space for dialogue. 

The guidance focuses on incorporating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) into NRCS’ nine-step conservation planning process and recommends a pre-step of relationship building, self-education on DEI, and intentional outreach. Learn more about Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Meridian.