February 20, 2024
(press release)
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Our agency has prioritized a growing focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility over the past few years, from the development of our Code and Commitments to our efforts surrounding improving our work environment and This is Who We Are. Together, these are part of our effort to ensure our public work reflects our long-standing agency values. Today, we demonstrate our continued focus and commitment to advancing DEIA with the publication of our “Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility: A USDA Forest Service Action Plan.” While DEIA has been a driving force for the Forest Service for many years, we must maintain our momentum to create and sustain a work environment and culture where employees, customers and the communities we serve are represented and supported. As such, this new plan focuses on actions and strategies that will guide our actions and positively effect our internal systems, processes and culture. Through the combined efforts of stakeholders from across the agency, including the Office of Civil Rights, Work Environment and Performance Office, and Human Resources Management this plan was designed with every employee in mind. I strongly encourage each of you to read the plan, whether you are on the front lines of a fire crew or sitting at a desk. If you are a Forest Service employee, this plan involves and was meant for you. You each play a critical role in contributing to our mission and this responsibility extends to making the Forest Service what it is and what it aspires to be. It is about an inclusive way of doing business, and by taking small, everyday actions to embrace these ideals, you will help make lasting change that is felt within the agency as well as by the communities we serve. The plan works in conjunction with other plans currently in place to support the Forest Service in progressing our workforce, culture and services, including the Equity and Tribal action plans. Collectively, these plans provide a well-rounded approach to advancing DEIA within the Forest Service. I would like to thank all those who have passionately contributed to these efforts for their hard work and commitment to pursuing a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible future for our employees and the agency. I look forward to working closely with you to continue adapting and growing as we lead the way for DEIA in the federal government and our agency. Editor's Note: Provide feedback about this column, submit questions or suggest topics for future columns through the FS-Employee Feedback inbox.
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