40 Acres and a Mule, Land Conservation, Social Equity: Jade Stevens

In this episode, co-host Alison Mariella Désir is joined by Jade Stevens, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the 40 Acre Conservation League, California’s first Black-led land conservation organization. Through her conservation work with the League, Stevens aims to increase public access to land for underrepresented groups while protecting it. In this conversation, Alison and Jade discuss topics of what land conservation is, land trusts, and how expanding access to public lands can help raise awareness of conservationism for everyone. Jade also discusses the origins of the League's name, a reference to the unfulfilled promise by the US government after the Civil War to provide 40 acres and a mule to formerly enslaved African Americans.EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcastEARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.comOur Season 3 Presenting Sponsor Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.comMentioned in this Episode Jade Stevens on Instagram: @msjadesaid 40 Acre Conservation League: 40acreleague.orgGateway Park on Instagram: @gatewayparkcaliforniaEARTHMOVERS Hosts Verna NezBegay Volker: Runner, mother, community builder, public speaker, and racial equity activist from the Navajo Nation, Volker is the founder of Native Women Run, an organization that began as a virtual community and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. @hozhorunner4Alison Mariella Désir: Runner, mountain climber, mother, community builder, and racial equity activist, Désir is the author of the groundbreaking book Running While Black and the host of the award winning PBS TV show Out and Back with Alison Mariella Désir. @alisonmdesir Stefanie Flippin: Professional ultra trail runner, running coach, podcaster, writer, racial equity activist, and a foot and ankle surgeon, Flippin is the 2021 USATF 100-mile road champion and course record holder, and she’s the 6th fastest all-time American woman at the 100-mile distance. @stefanieannflippin