Sierra Club’s Struggles with Diversity Policies Documented
A report by the New York Times details how the Sierra Club, a prominent environmental organization, faced significant challenges after attempting to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion measures into its operations in recent years.
Within the article, firsthand accounts illustrate how racial activists were integrated into the group, only to find their agendas overshadowed by the overarching environmental activism. This shift is cited as a key factor in the organization’s decline.
One notable comment raised a poignant question: “That’s all well and good, Delia. But what does a wolf have to do with fairness, justice, and inclusion?”
The Sierra Club, once considered a leading environmental entity, saw a drop in donations and membership after prioritizing social justice initiatives. This shift led to an increase in layoffs and declining engagement.
A look at the group’s tax returns reveals that between 2015 and 2019, they consistently generated tens of millions more than they spent. However, in 2020 they broke even, and by 2022 and 2023, expenses greatly outstripped income.
“The Sierra Club is in a downward spiral,” a letter from management to leadership stated.
From a peak of about 4 million members and supporters in 2019, the organization has reportedly lost around 60% of its base since then.
Amid President Trump’s initial term, the Sierra Club shifted its focus to a broader range of issues, including racial justice and immigrant rights. This attempt has been deemed unsuccessful, ultimately leading to the ousting of Ben Jealous, the former executive director and NAACP leader.
In the process, long-time volunteers who had once passionately supported environmental protection felt alienated. Many expressed concerns over the club’s commitment, suggesting it had strayed from the principles that guided its success originally.
The organization even circulated an “Equity Terminology Guide” cautioning staff against using certain words, citing terms like “vibrant” and “lame duck session” as problematic.
Some board members voiced opposition to budgets that dedicated resources to numerous DEI positions while only funding two roles focused on environmental advocacy, yet the budget passed regardless of those concerns.
Interestingly, the Sierra Club also appeared to lose supporters following Joe Biden’s 2020 election win, particularly surrounding conversations about making divestment from Israel an environmental matter. Although they later distanced themselves from it, their initial stance seemed to impact their support.
A revealing anecdote involved a staff member’s dismissive response to a volunteer’s suggestion about protecting Colorado’s wolf population: “Okay, Delia, but what does a wolf have to do with equity, justice, and inclusion?” The Colorado branch affirmed, “No one has ever been investigated or accused of a value conflict based on wolf conservation efforts.”
