Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) at HMA

Purpose

To consider the perspectives of the entire community when considering how to make HMA and HMA-supported initiatives more inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible. To help further HMAs internal education on IDEA issues, such that systemic biases are broken down.

To embody the organization’s IDEA statement

HMA is committed to celebrating diversity, and striving for equity, inclusion and accessibility are integral to our mission “To advance scientific knowledge and promote conservation of raptor populations through study, enjoyment, and appreciation of raptor migration.” Internally, HMA will critically evaluate our institutional and procedural processes for bias, foster diverse contributors, equal access and inclusive environments in all our activities. We encourage all hawk watch sites within the Hawkcount raptor monitoring network to strive to be safe spaces for all, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, nationality, political beliefs, citizenship or country of origin. Hawk watch sites should be free of discrimination, violence, prejudice or intimidation. Those spaces should foster inclusion, by making sites accessible to all visitors, wherever possible. HMA supported organizations are encouraged to actively reach out to marginalized communities, create support networks that facilitate visitation and conservation outreach to those communities, and to actively work to improve diversity within their own institutions, volunteer and professional ranks.

  • Accessibility – To ensure everyone can get to a hawkwatch
  • Diversity – To ensure that everyone is invited to a hawkwatch
  • Equity – To ensure that everyone has a chance to see a raptor
  • Inclusivity – To ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy raptor migration

IDEA Grant

The Hawk Migration Association (HMA) is excited to announce the creation of a new grant opportunity beginning in 2025, to support IDEA at hawkwatch sites. The IDEA Grant, a $500 award, is available to hawkwatch sites seeking funding to support inclusion, diversity, equity or accessibility at their respective site. Suitable expenses and initiatives the grant may be used for include (but are not limited to):

  • Transportation to bring underrepresented community members to the hawkwatch
  • Creation of signage in additional languages
  • Sensitivity or DEI training for site volunteers/staff
  • Publicly available binoculars
  • Adaptive equipment to facilitate access or optics use by disabled community member
  • Travel/logistical expenses supporting exchange of counters/educators between sites
  • Creation of more accessible seating, washrooms, parking or trails at the hawkwatch
  • Counters and educators stipend or salary
  • Transportation costs of counters/educators in need
  • Expenses of training new counters/educators

Stipulations:

  • Must be current and active hawkwatch site on hawkcount.org in last two years
  • Projects must be realistic to the $500 grant amount and feasible within one year
  • If part of larger project, documentation of additional funding sources required
  • 300 word application summary* submitted to IDEA Chair, Rob Spaul at spaul.robert@gmail.com by April 15 of each year

Upon receipt of funds:

*300 word summary of how the money was used including supporting pictures, submitted within ~13 months of receipt

Applications will be reviewed within one month of receipt, and funds will be administered be July of each year.

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