Looking Ahead at How to Best
Preserve Our Natural World
By Jay Edwards
I’ve always been a fan of history, and I appreciate the ways in which historical stories illustrate the continuity of life on this Earth we all share.
Black History, for its part, offers countless stories about Americans of African origin; Black people have helped to build many of the narratives of this nation since its inception.
When I look at our past, it is impossible not to think about our future. For as long as I can remember, my vision of the future has involved my stewardship of -- and connection with -- the natural world.
Even more than government, culture, or any other traditional consideration of history, probably no aspect of our shared lives is more fundamental than our natural surroundings.
One of my specific life goals was to live in a region with beautiful mountains; in Wilsonville, I’m blessed with access to several. I was drawn to the pursuit of Environmental Engineering studies, and today I consult in that field.
I’m intrigued by the questions of how Black Americans connect to the natural environment, and wonder how are we helping to define the nation’s ecological narrative going forward?
Dudley Edmondson is an outstanding photographer and author who takes this issue head-on. His book, The Black & Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places, shares the stories of 20 people of color who work, teach or find their peace in the outdoors. His pictures led me to the book (I’m an amateur photographer), but it was the stories that made me buy it.
Edmondson’s work has a powerful mission. He asks who will be the guardians of our natural spaces as America continues to grow more diverse? How can people of color not only see the outdoors as a place where we have the right to be welcome and safe, but also as a sanctuary worth protecting?
Edmondson’s book references Rachel Carson, who did much to launch the U.S. environmental movement through her 1962 book Silent Spring. In the more than 60 years since its publication, most of this work has been advanced by the white majority. So how do we inspire a multi-hued leadership mix to continue the charge in the future?
If all goes to plan, we will hear Dudley Edmonson speak to this in person. The City’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is working to bring Edmondson to Wilsonville to deliver the keynote address at the 2023 Juneteenth Celebration.
The Wilsonville Alliance for Inclusive Community (WAIC) is once again providing support for this great event. Fundraising is now is underway. If you are inclined to support, please visit wilsonvillealliance.org/donate.
Mark your calendar now to join us for the third annual Juneteenth Celebration, Saturday, June 17, at Town Center Park. Join us in the great outdoors to celebrate and to reflect on our shared humanity.
Take the next step, become a WAIC representative
Through our dialogue-based decision-making process, we have decided that the following people will represent WAIC as representatives of the organization:
Co-Chairs: Garet Prior and (OPEN)
Treasurer: Jay Edwards
Secretary: (OPEN)
Process Inclusion: (OPEN)
We are actively looking for people to take the next step of involvement with the Wilsonville Alliance and fill open roles. If you are interested, please read the position descriptions and email us (connect@wilsonvillealliance.org) with any questions or if you would like to discuss this further!
Please reach out (connect@wilsonvillealliance.org) to us if you have experience with either of these services.