Green Obsidian Founder Sierra Taliaferro on Equity in Environmental Conservation and Starting A Nonprofit

0:00-1:42 - Introduction and Welcome Remarks

The host welcomes the guest speaker, Sierra Taliaferro, to the Women Of Water Virtual Summit and provides an overview of the event's objectives and agenda. And asks Sierra about her background, how she got into working in the environment and water, and what she has done so far.

1:42 - 3:20 - Background of Sierra Taliaferro

Sierra is sharing her background and how she shifted from a theater major to environmental science, and how her high school experiences and college education shaped her trajectory. She also talks about her involvement in community work through non-profits, government, and private entities.

3:20 - 6:17 - Speaker discusses how theater background has helped in science career.

The conversation is about the non-linear career paths of women and the importance of trying new things. The speaker mentions how her background in theater has helped her in her current career in science, particularly in facilitating meetings and public speaking. They also discuss the importance of engaging with the audience in conferences and using theater skills to deliver important information in a captivating way.

6:17 - 9:05 - Sierra's Journey: How Frustration Led to the Creation of Green Obsidian

Sierra explains how her project "The Green Obsidian" started out of frustration with the lack of representation of Black professionals in Environmental Conservation. She started with a Google search and began writing about Black professionals she found, originally on her private Facebook page. Later she transitioned to LinkedIn, which generated more buzz, and decided to make it a public platform. The project aims to highlight Black professionals in Environmental Conservation and support their mission.

9:05 - 10:49 - Discusses the challenges faced by women

Discusses the challenges faced by women in male-dominated industries and the fear of speaking up, as well as the support system available to black women in the workplace.

10:49 - 13:15 - Challenges of Being a Woman in a Professional Environment

discusses the challenges women face in being courageous and taking risks in their professional careers, as well as the pressure they feel to maintain a certain image and avoid making mistakes. The speakers also touch on the importance of recognizing women as human beings with limitations, rather than expecting them to be "superwomen".

13:15 - 15:45 - Importance of Conferences for Career Development and Retention in Conservation Field

Discuss the importance of conferences in learning about career opportunities and organizations, as well as the need for equitable opportunities for career development to prepare individuals for leadership roles. Retention of individuals is also a crucial factor in building a strong workforce.

15:45 - 19:56 - The Importance of Urban Watersheds and Equity in River Conservation: Insights from River Rally 2022

DrCat talked about attending the River Rally, an annual meeting for Watershed groups, and seeing a shift in focus towards Urban Watershed issues and equity. Sierra discussed her involvement with the Milwaukee Riverkeeper, a group focused on bringing awareness to Urban Watersheds and improving community involvement in understanding and protecting the local Watershed.

19:56 - 20:35 - Importance of Community Connection to Water in Urban Watersheds.

Importance of addressing the deeper issues of how people connect and identify with water in urban areas, including the impact of redlining and ancestral lands. The need to bring this to a larger platform to emphasize the importance of urban watersheds.

20:35 - 21:50 - Connecting with Black Leaders in Conservation and Environmental Movements

The speaker highlights a mix of people working in state parks, wild and Scenic Rivers, and those bringing different cultures into discussions of watersheds. They connect with some of the leaders profiled, either by talking to them, following their work or having worked with them. The goal is to build a network of people doing good work and support it by sharing with others.

21:50 - 24:26 - Challenges and Concerns of Equity and Burnout in Non-profit Conservation Work

The conversation revolves around issues of equity and fair pay for young workers in big non-profit organizations in the conservation and environmental movement. The discussion also touches on the importance of self-care and radical rest to prevent exhaustion and burnout while doing this kind of work. The speaker highlights the need for organizations to do better in terms of providing fair pay and allocating self-care time for their staff.

24:26 - 26:41 - The Importance of Supporting Underserved Communities and Black History

The importance of addressing underserved communities, particularly historically black communities, in infrastructure projects. The speaker emphasizes the need for authentic and intentional efforts to support and highlight individuals and organizations working towards equity and inclusion, not just during Black History Month, but throughout the year.

26:41 - 30:18 - Using Holidays and Events to Elevate Important Topics: Continuing the Conversation on Women and Water

Highlights the importance of using holidays and events to discuss important topics, such as International Women's Day and World Water Day. The speakers stress the need for action steps and ongoing conversation, including intergenerational connections, to ensure these topics don't get lost in conversation. They mention upcoming events like Water Week and the American Water Works Association meeting as opportunities to continue the discussion.

30:18 - 32:37 - Building a Diverse and Inclusive Workspace with Open Communication

The importance of recognizing that women may step in and out of the water sector for various reasons and how reverse mentoring can be beneficial for everyone. The focus is on creating a culture that is inclusive and safe for learning and growth, even if a younger person becomes a supervisor. The key is to have open communication, be vulnerable, and ask deeper questions to gain insights and opportunities for growth.

32:37 - 33:52 - Embracing Diversity in Hiring and Building Teams

The importance of recognizing diversity in building teams, including individuals with different skill sets, experiences, and backgrounds. The speakers emphasize the need for a culture that values and includes everyone, regardless of age or other factors, to create a safe space for learning and growth. They also discuss the potential benefits of hiring individuals who are older or younger than oneself and encourage open communication to navigate any potential team dynamics.

33:52 - 36:50 - The Importance of Providing Opportunities for Diversity in Environmental Science Education

About the lack of opportunities for Black students in the environmental science field, particularly in HBCUs. The speaker, an alum of an HBCU, shares their experience of finding their path after graduation and how exposure and experience helped them determine their career. The importance of creating opportunities for Black students in environmental science is emphasized, and the need for inclusivity, authenticity, and intentionality in promoting their growth in the field.

36:50 - 38:18 - Speaker Shares Education and Career Journey

The speaker reveals that they graduated from Bethune Cookman University in Spring 2014 and gained work experience in Milwaukee before moving to Florida to work for the county just before the COVID-19 pandemic. They credit their experience in Milwaukee for helping them elevate their skill set and successfully transition to Florida.

38:18 - 40:47 - Speaker reflects on finding mentorship and volunteer work during the pandemic in a new location with different land history.

The speaker discusses the importance of learning the land history and volunteering to expand one's network. They also talk about the differences in the natural systems in Florida compared to other coastal areas and the impact of hurricanes. Speaker reflects on finding mentorship and volunteer work during the pandemic in a new location with different land history.

40:47 - 43:22 -

Sierra discusses their appreciation for the natural beauty of Florida, particularly the Everglades and its importance as a source of fresh water. They also touch upon the idea of community within the water industry and how individuals, especially women, find ways to stay involved despite facing challenges in their career paths.

43:22 - 49:05 - Closing Remarks and Next Steps

The speaker emphasized the importance of being teachable and inclusive in finding solutions to water-related issues, and discussed efforts to combat legislation in Florida that could limit diversity and inclusion in the water industry. The host summarizes the key insights and takeaways from the event, and provides information about upcoming events and resources for attendees to continue learning and networking.