Environmental Justice

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1. Pacific Palisades sits between the ocean and the mountains in an area of extraordinary natural beauty. It has a small-town feel that is rare in Los Angeles. We also recognize that our neighborhood is more affluent and less racially diverse than the city as a whole.

2. Resilient Palisades is a 501c3 nonprofit committed to building a resilient future for our community and for the city and parkland that surround us. We bring together neighbors, partners, and local institutions to address climate change, ecological degradation, and the relationship between people and the environment.

3. We are mindful of long-standing critiques within the environmental movement that it has sometimes centered privileged communities while overlooking environmental justice. Whether or not these critiques apply broadly, we take seriously the responsibility to ensure that our work does not ignore or minimize the needs of vulnerable communities.
   
   Environmentalism Was Once a Social-Justice Movement

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1. We approach each project with humility and with a commitment to understanding possible unintended consequences. No project should create foreseeable harm for other communities. Ideally, each initiative should have a pathway that allows its benefits to reach beyond the Palisades.

2. We avoid projects that are or could appear to be NIMBY in nature. All communities share responsibility for climate action, and those with greater resources have an even greater obligation to lead.

3. We commit to ongoing learning about environmental justice, environmental racism, and the history and present-day experiences of Indigenous peoples in our region. We seek out voices from diverse communities and take their perspectives seriously.

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Culture

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1. Resilient Palisades welcomes everyone who lives, works, studies, or spends time in the Palisades to take part in our work.

2. We cultivate a culture that respects and actively seeks diversity. This includes the disability community, people of all ages, gender orientations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and people across the economic spectrum.

3. We aim for a warm, kind, neighborly environment where everyone who wants to help address the climate and ecological crisis feels valued and welcome, regardless of political views.

4. We encourage open-mindedness. New or unfamiliar ideas deserve thoughtful consideration rather than quick dismissal.

5. We recognize that everyone contributes to climate impacts in some way and that no one has a perfect environmental footprint. People’s circumstances differ. We do not judge neighbors by their car, home size, or daily choices. We focus on helping people participate at whatever level is possible for them.

6. Our organization is volunteer-driven, and we honor all forms of contribution. Each person brings unique skills and perspectives. We often talk about “The Three Sisters,” a teaching from Indigenous agriculture that describes how corn, beans, and squash grow best when they support one another. We use it as a reminder that our work thrives when people with different strengths come together. Some volunteers spark ideas, some organize and build, and others provide steady support over time. All of these roles are essential, and our community is strongest when we value every kind of contribution.

7. We believe in action. We move forward with clear intent and a commitment to getting meaningful work done.

8. We are proud to strengthen our community as we work. Community building is valuable in itself and is essential to achieving our environmental and resilience goals.

9. We follow science and evidence. We also recognize the wisdom held within Indigenous knowledge systems and other forms of ecological understanding. We approach decisions with care, humility, and respect for both.

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501c3 Status

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1. We commit to actions that uphold and advance our 501c3 mission. Resilient Palisades is organized exclusively for charitable purposes and never for private gain.

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