LAUSR

Abstract: The veterinary medical profession—including in marine biology and oceanography, ecology, conservation science, and zoo, wildlife, aquatic, and exotic animal medicine—suffers from a well-known lack of diversity. It is the author's view that in order to ensure that animals (and plants) have the environment they need to thrive, and to address urgent ecosystem health and conservation issues in our global interconnected communities, our wildlife, zoo, and conservation science organizations must embrace diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Just as biodiversity is critical for the health and vitality of our ecosystem, the diversity of the people who care for those ecosystems will protect the health and vibrancy of our professions and organizations. Though research may not yet have established a direct link between the diversification of such organizations and the advancement of biodiversity, that does not mean there is no such effect or impact. With myriad evidence that diverse organizations are better at solving complex problems, why would there be an expectation that these professions would fare differently? A call to action is for such organizations to conduct and publish research regarding the impact of increased human diversity on their missions of enhancing biodiversity. The challenges to biodiversity are great, and our organizations must use every tool in the toolkit to find solutions—including enhancing DEIB. This article elaborates on the many benefits that come with prioritizing DEIB in our organizations—similar to those benefits arising from healthy, biodiverse ecosystems. Potential action steps are shared that organizations and associations may consider in promoting DEIB and igniting progress.