Race & Nature Collective
Integrating equity in environmental governance and planning
About Us
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Who We Are
Dr. Sadia Butt: Forest ecologist with over 25 years of experience in urban forestry, political ecology, and environmental governance across academic, government, and non-profit sectors. She specialises in nature education for
K-12 students.
Dr. Ambika Tenneti: Researcher whose work examines race, migration, and power in environmental governance, with a focus on community-engaged research and racial equity in nature.
Dr. Jacqueline L. Scott: Scholar and writer on race and nature, whose work focuses on Black geographies, outdoor recreation, and environmental justice.
What We Do
With decades of experience in the nature sector we provide:
- Research and consulting - on justice and equity in nature.
- Training and workshops - on increasing diversity in nature organisations.
- Environmental writing - for literature reviews, briefing documents and investigative reports.
- Inclusive program design - for organisations, institutions, and community spaces.
Our Mission
To integrate diverse environmental worldviews into infrastructure planning, climate policy, and land-stewardship practices.
Our Vision
We envision institutions that operationalize equity not as an aspirational value but as a core design principle.
Our Objectives
Our long-term goal is to contribute to environmental futures in which all communities influence, shape, and benefit from resilient infrastructures and regenerative ecosystems.
Our Principles
We all need nature, but not everyone has access to nature. The Race & Nature Collective works to connect racialised people in Canada to nature. Our guiding principles are:
- Humans are part of nature. We are dependent on nature for our existence.
- Nature exists in its own right. When we protect nature, we protect ourselves.
- Power shapes who has access to nature. Through an intersectional lens, we work for justice and equity in nature for racialised Canadians.
- We affirm that we all live on Indigenous land in Canada. Our work supports Indigenous people, their rights and sovereignty.
Publications
Race and Nature in the City
Urban Forests, Trees, and Greenspace
Urban Forests, Trees, and Greenspace
Race and Nature in the City: Engaging youth of colour in nature-based activities. A community-based needs assessment. Nature Canada
Urban Forests, Trees, and Greenspace
Urban Forests, Trees, and Greenspace
Urban Forests, Trees, and Greenspace
Urban Forests, Trees, and Greenspace: A Political Ecology Perspective
Race in Nature Stewardship
Urban Forests, Trees, and Greenspace
Race in Nature Stewardship
Race in nature stewardship: An autoethnography of two racialised volunteers in urban ecology