A LETTER TO OUR COMMUNITY

Nature is and should be for everyone to enjoy.

With this in mind, the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes (NCSL) is strongly committed to our Core Values: Welcoming to All, Respectful of People and Nature, and Confident in Fostering Change. These guiding principles of our organization inspire us as we shape our operations, policies, and programs.

Over the past several years, the Nature Center has been working toward becoming a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization. As part of these efforts, we rely on our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Statement to guide us in our decisions across all departments that impact our NCSL community. Additionally, we have elevated our DEI Taskforce to a full board-led committee, while also adding accessibility to the focus (DEIA). This committee includes both staff and board members. Our work is ongoing and something that we are committed to integrating into all that we do, from programming to recruiting, hiring, and onboarding for staff, volunteers, and the board.

I am proud to lead this organization as we continue to listen, learn, and work together to take action toward positive change.