Pasadena Audubon statement on Antiracism

June 5, 2020

Pasadena Audubon Society stands with Christian Cooper and all Black birders. We stand with all people of color. As David Yarnold, National Audubon’s CEO stated, “Christian Cooper’s life never should have been threatened for asking someone to leash a dog in a bird sanctuary. Black Americans should not face lower odds of survival and prosperity across every measure of wellbeing in this country, but they do.”(*) This needs to stop.

Nature belongs to everyone. No one should be made to feel unsafe in the outdoors. No one should be made to feel unwelcome outside. We know it happens and it is unacceptable. It is not enough to not be racist, we must be antiracist.

At Pasadena Audubon Society, our mission is to “bring the excitement of birds to our community.” Our Community means everyone. All people are welcome to join us. We work to engage diverse groups in our programs, and that work will continue and improve. We want all our neighbors to feel safe, welcome, and included.