The Chicago Academy of Sciences/Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (Nature Museum) strives to create a positive relationship between people and nature. A key component of our mission is to be the urban gateway to nature and science. Much of our institutional efforts are focused on the greater Chicago region, its biota (including people), and its ecosystems.
Just as ecosystems that are biologically diverse show greater productivity, resilience, and ecological integrity, the Nature Museum embraces and encourages diversity at all levels. Doing so helps make our institution stronger, better able to partner with communities, and to fulfill our mission. We can only effectively function as a gateway to nature and science by actively engaging everyone.
Our commitment to cultivating diversity is perpetual and integrated into all aspects of our operations. We are examining and acknowledging racism, sexism, and all other forms of oppression in both the past and present of our institution and field. Our path forward will not always be clear. We will never stop learning and progressing as we aspire to be equitable, and inclusive in service to our communities.
For a downloadable version of the Nature Museum Diversity Charter, click here.
Unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees on October 22, 2021
