This statement was approved by the Board of the Washington Ornithological Society on September 1, 2021:
“We on the WOS board recognize that our society includes people across diverse spectra of race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, education, physical ability, and economic status. We are aware that the birding community historically has not reflected this diversity.
We are actively seeking to change by creating an environment that ensures all people feel welcome and valued within the organization and the broader birding community. To achieve and maintain equity within WOS, we pledge to safeguard access and opportunity for achievement by all interested people.
We will actively promote inclusion and foster a sense of belonging by all. To assist in increasing participation in WOS and birding by all members of our society, we will seek to eliminate barriers, exclusions, and intolerance within the organization and its membership.”