Nature Forward’s Taking Nature Black Conference, themed “Reclamation & Resilience,” took place March 5 – 8, 2025.
Keynote speakers included Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr., President & CEO of Hip Hop Caucus; applied behavior scientist Jylana L, Sheats, PhD, of Tulane University; storyteller and cultural geographer Carolyn Finney, PhD; Matt Scott, director of storytelling and engagement at Project Drawdown; and climate activist Wawa Gatheru, founder of Black Girl Environmentalist.
Attendees from more than two-dozen states joined us for interactive, virtual conference sessions on Wednesday, March 5, and Thursday, March 6. In-person conference activities took place on Friday, March 7 at the Silver Spring Civic Center in downtown Silver Spring, MD. Saturday, March 8 included inspiring outdoor nature experiences in the DC region.
Taking Nature Black shirts, mugs, bags and more are still available!
Order now at taking-nature-black-2025.printify.me/
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OUR SPONSORS
Community Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
Contributing Sponsors
Maryland Ornithological Society
Blue Water Baltimore
Bonsai Leadership Group
Choose Clean Water Coalition
Maryland League of Conservation Voters
One Montgomery Green
Montgomery County Green Bank
Old Growth Forest Network
Potomac Riverkeeper Network
Safe Healthy Playing Fields
Glenstone
Piedmont Environmental Council
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Montgomery Bird Club
National Wildlife Federation
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Virginia Tech – Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability
CASA
MD Sierra Club
In-Kind Sponsors
JUST ICE TEA
M-NCPPC Parks & Recreation Prince George’s Co.
Compost Crew
Herr’s Chips
Costco
ABOUT TAKING NATURE BLACK
Launched in 2016, Nature Forward’s flagship Taking Nature Black Conference is among the nation’s premier forums showcasing diversity, inclusion, and equity in nature.
Although the conference centers primarily on issues impacting the Capital Region, the recurring focus on environmental justice, empowerment, and belonging in nature resonates with diverse nature professionals and advocates from coast to coast. Our largest conference attracted more than 925 people with the last event engaging audience members from more than 30 states.
Nature Forward’s Taking Nature Black Conference takes place every two years alternating with our Naturally Latinos Conference.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM TAKING NATURE BLACK 2025
