Not everyone has access to clean water and healthy ecosystems. This is, unfortunately, a legacy of historic injustices in our communities. With Harpeth Conservancy’s mission being to provide such resources to all Tennesseans, it is essential that our work also addresses the environmental disparities that persist among us. These disparities contribute to environmental inequity, or the disproportionate impact of harmful environmental hazards, disasters, and pollution on groups or individuals because of factors such as race, income, or education, among others.
Our goal is “environmental equity” — where no single group or community is disproportionately impacted by harmful environmental hazards, disasters, and pollution. Achieving “environmental equity” requires collective action to dismantle historic legacies of marginalization and to rebuild fairer ones in their place, in other words, to do “environmental justice”. Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
At-risk communities include not only those in urban areas who may be impacted by locally unwanted land uses (LULUs) such as polluting industrial or sewer plants but also those in rural areas affected by concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and other agricultural and industrial pollution. Environmental justice thus seeks redress the unfair shifting onto the disadvantaged of all races the sometimes toxic costs of our industrial society and to create a more just and equitable society, one that prevents the costs and burdens of our society of being literally dumped on its most vulnerable citizens.
The work of environmental justice is what Harpeth Conservancy aims to do and continually improve upon in our programming. We do this through meaningful involvement in water issues that enact fair treatment for Tennessee communities such as clean water advocacy, river education, and community collaboration. We invite you to join us in this daily work to effect change, for what better time than now.
Send written comments with your opinions, observations, and recommendations about the health and future of one of America’s MOST BIODIVERSE rivers to the Tennessee Department
Removing invasive plant species helps to prepare room for native plant species that will protect waterways from pollution and provide the appropriate habitat for biodiversity.
Community River Restoration: Why Riparian Habitats? During the winter season, our river restoration projects focus on two activities that improve water quality and habitats for
The legislative season is upon us and we have an unusual opportunity to join forces to create a Tennessee Office of Outdoor Recreation (OREC) in
Important Links: Bellevue Strong, Community Organization Site Ariza Bellevue, Developer’s Site Petition against new development in ‘flood-vulnerable’ area reaches 1,800 signatures (3/9/23: WSMV4) Bellevue development
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