The Nature Conservancy Is In China But Not Anacostia

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) filled out the AAEA Diversity Survey even though they knew they would get a bad rating. This multibillion (that's right) dollar environmental organization has an expansive program in China but does not work in a community a few miles away that is right across the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. Much of Anacostia is upwards of 90% black. TNC does not now nor have they ever employed a black policy professional in the U.S. to our knowledge.

It is their money, time and resources so we understand that they can spend it and their time any way they want to. We just think it is unfortunate that Anacostia in Washington, DC is overlooked by this massive, rich and powerful organization, particularly when they work in many other areas in the U.S. There are very interesting flora and fauna issues they could address East of the Anacostia River (black Washington, DC). There are also intriguing land use issues that fall within TNC's areas of interest. Little old socioeconomically disadvantaged AAEA will continue to do the best it can with its meager resources and hope that one day we will have billions for our environmental work. We would work in China. But we would work in Anacostia too.