Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI)

California is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. As such, CDFW values diverse employees working together to protect nature for all Californians. CDFW is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where all backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences can thrive and connect others to our critical mission.

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2022-2024 Equity Priorities

Equity Priorities: Workforce, creating a sense of stewardship, Funding, Communication, and Training.

Embedding Equity at CDFW

  • Workforce
  • Creating a sense of stewardship
  • Funding
  • Communication
  • Training

JEDI in Action

Applying a Racial Equity Lens Examining Trout Stocking Allocations in CDFW's North Central Region

CDFW, along with a dedicated task force within the department guided by the Capitol Collaborative on Race and Equity program conducted a racial equity analysis of fish stocking practices in Region 2 aimed at advancing an honest and critical assessment of one aspect of its work to identify whether racial inequities exists. The analysis is on example of how CDFW is looking within its programs, policies, and institutional culture to reduce inequitable outcomes based on individual characteristics.

CDFW is committed to supporting the protection and management of the state's fish, wildlife, and habitats on which they depend for the benefit of all Californians. Unfortunately, not all Californians have been afforded equal access to opportunities to enjoy the recreational and commercial opportunities related to these efforts. What is also clear is that a diverse and equitable workforce that represents California’s population will benefit greatly to help overcome challenges to protect California's biodiversity.

“As part of our growing commitment to equity, the fish stocking analysis, workforce diversity activities, and the CDFW's overall reflection on practices with equity in mind that may unintentionally create disparities is vital to ensure ALL Californians benefit from the management and protection of species and habitats,” said Deputy Director of the Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI) and Tribal Affairs, Nicole Cropper. “It is not only critical that our workforce represents the population that we serve by attracting, supporting, and retaining employees with diverse experiences, but also that we look at how our historical practices, policies, regulations, and laws have created disparities so that we do not repeat the same mistakes—especially as we meet the challenges of climate disruption.”

four CDFW staff at a fishing in the city event
Fishing in the City
anglers fishing off of boat in the ocean
Vamos a Pescar Grant Program

JEDI Principles: Equity in Practice

Environmental Justice

Federal

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.

State

Fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. California Gov. Code, § 65040.12, subd. (e)).

Social Justice

  • Recognizes that predominantly Black, Indigenous, people of color, low-income, and rural communities have historically been underrepresented in the policy setting or decision-making process;
  • subject to a disproportionate impact from one or more environmental hazards; and
  • are likely to experience disparate implementation of environmental regulations and socioeconomic investments in their communities.

Equity

  • A process of eliminating disparities and improving outcomes for everyone.
  • Intentional and continual practice of changing policies, practices, systems, and structures by prioritizing measurable change in the lives of people.
  • “Closing the gaps” so that race is no longer a predictor of outcomes, while also improving outcomes for all.

Diversity

The existence of variations of different characteristics in a group of people. These characteristics could be everything that makes us unique, such as our cognitive skills and personality traits, along with the things that shape our identity (e.g. race, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, cultural background among others).

Inclusion

The practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized(opens in new tab), such as those who have physical or intellectual disabilities and members of other minority groups.

Equitable Governance Principles for Protected and Conserved Areas

From the World Commission on Protected Areas (PDF):

Equity in conservation is a matter of governance and includes recognition and respect for actors and their human and resource rights, equity in procedure (e.g., participation, accountability) and equitable cost/benefit distribution.

Recognition

  • Recognition and respect for all relevant rightsholders, stakeholders, and California Native American Tribes and their knowledge and values (identities, values, knowledge systems and institutions).
  • Full and effective participation of all relevant actors in decision-making.

Procedure/Process

  • Transparency, information sharing and accountability for actions/inactions.
  • Access to justice including effective dispute resolution processes.
  • Fair and effective law enforcement (or, more broadly, the rule of law).

Distribution

  • Effective mitigation of negative impacts on relevant rightsholders, stakeholders, and California Native American Tribes.
  • Benefits equitably shared among relevant actors

Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
CivilRights@wildlife.ca.gov