Black lives matter. At the North Carolina Botanical Garden, we stand in solidarity with those calling for accountability and justice. We share your sorrow and anguish over the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and David McAtee, and over the tragic reality that these are only the latest instances in our country’s long history of violent racism.
Environmentalism, land conservation, and public gardens in the U.S. have long been defined from a white perspective, often at the expense of people of color. We acknowledge the continued impact of this history –– that for people of color, today’s gardens, parks, and natural areas may not be neutral, apolitical, or restorative spaces.
We are committed to creating an environment in our gardens and natural areas where everyone’s voice is heard and everyone feels safe and welcome. As a garden focused on conserving the biodiversity of southeastern native plants, we recognize that just as biodiversity is critical to a healthy ecosystem, diversity in our people and our perspectives makes our organization and community stronger.