Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Guiding Principles

Lopez Community Land Trust (LCLT) honors the Indigenous inhabitants of these islands, the Coast Salish. We recognize our rural agricultural history, and honor those who were denied the same opportunities of homesteaders to live on the island due to their identity, be they Indigenous, Chinese, Japanese, Black, Latinx or others of non-European descent heritage*. In addition, we wish to honor the history of Community Land Trusts, a movement deeply rooted in social change and justice. The first CLT in the United States rose in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement in Albany Georgia in 1969, as New Communities, INC. “a nonprofit organization to hold land in perpetual trust for the permanent use of rural communities” with the intention to “create a more equitable solution to land ownership and economic security” (Bob Swann).

LCLT commits to continuing our efforts of being a space for people of all identities and differences, including those of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, tribe, caste, social-economic status, and language**.

We consider this document as guiding principles that are subject to change, adapt and grow as we continue to learn.

LCLT takes to heart the wisdom of Bryan Stevenson in his book Just Mercy that states tough problems in society need to be addressed by:

1. Getting proximate to the issue
2. Being willing to be uncomfortable
3. Changing the narrative
4. Never giving up.
5. Recognizing our own woundedness.

In order to address the issues of lack of diversity, equity, and inclusivity in our nation’s culture, LCLT commits to:

– Intentionally work towards creating a more diverse sustainable island community through our programs;
– Creating a welcoming space virtually and in-person; and,
– Being culturally, linguistically, and environmentally responsive to our community***