Climate change crossroads
With climate change already affecting our coasts and severe weather events causing catastrophic damage in the South, vulnerable communities are being hit the hardest. Dogwood partners with diverse organizations to amplify the voices of these communities, standing with them to protect one of the best climate solutions we have: forests.
A just future
We are committed to a future that values standing forests for the services they provide, rather than the products they can be made into. We are committed to a future that values and protects the rights of whole communities to access the resources they need to live happy and healthy lives. We are committed to a future that values the people and the planet.
Inseparable
We believe that social justice and environmental justice are inseparable. For our part in holding to this belief and our commitment to the future, we:
- Stand with frontline communities in the South in their fight against industrial threats
- Support and partner with diverse social justice organizations
- Listen to the concerns and requests of our allies and partners
- Hold to the principles of equity and inclusion within our own organization
Diversity is our strength
Our mission and focus is to protect the diverse communities and forests of the Southern U.S. from the impacts of destructive industrial logging. We are committed to working in solidarity with and to help amplify the voices of the people who are negatively impacted by extractive and polluting industries. We recognize that it is often the most vulnerable among us, including people of color, who are disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation and pollution.
Because of this, communities of color are some of the strongest advocates for environmental protection. We work in partnership with many diverse organizations, including social justice groups and communities on the front-lines of environmental justice hot spots in the Southern US.
Social and economic justice is at the core of our organizational values. Community health and well-being means having equitable rights, which include protection of—and access to—valued resources. As an environmental organization, we do not believe that environmental protection is ever a valid justification for policies or actions that result in discriminatory outcomes based on race, ethnicity, class, religion, gender, gender identity etc. We believe that our Southern culture is stronger, healthier and more beautiful because of its diversity.
Dogwood also stands in solidarity with communities and indigenous people around the world in recognizing that profit-driven climate mitigation schemes such as carbon markets that enable ongoing forest destruction and/or fossil fuel pollution are false solutions. Forests should not be used to “offset” fossil fuel emissions as that is simply an excuse to continue burning fossil fuels at a time when keeping fossil fuels in the ground is critical. In addition, we stand in opposition to any climate or forest protection solutions — including carbon markets — that jeopardize Indigenous or environmental justice communities or ecosystems.
We believe broad and diverse support for southern forests is both critical to the achievement and resilience of Dogwood Alliance’s goals as well as the broader goals of a larger movement working at the intersection of the environment and social and economic justice. As staff and board we committed to advancing an inclusive, equitable and just society and our internal policies as well as our programs and approach to organizing reflect and prioritize this. Our organization will continue to work at the highest levels to strengthen our resolve, actions and leadership as an ally in the struggle for environmental justice. We invite you please visit our webpage to see us putting our principles into action. We may not agree with all of our donors on every political or environmental issue. Donors who generously support our work to protect forests and communities in the Southern US do so without any restrictions or influence regarding our organizations values, strategy, approach or partnerships.
Resources
Organize Your Community
Voices From Frontline Communities
Biomass Air Quality Fact Sheet