The most pressing amphibian and reptile conservation issues require us to work collaboratively and with people of different cultures, beliefs, and values from our own. Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) has achieved success in its 20 years (https://parcplace.org/about/parcs-20th-anniversary/) largely in part to the diverse range of professional sectors our members represent. However, PARC is fairly homogenous when it comes to other axes of diversity including, but not limited to, race, ethnic heritage, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation and physical ability. As conservation issues become more complex and challenging, PARC wants to ensure we are as effective as possible. To achieve this, we must reduce the structural barriers that have prevented full participation in our field and have marginalized certain communities and voices.

To work intentionally towards overcoming these barriers, PARC created the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Team (PARC DEITT) in 2017. This team’s mission is to improve cultural competency, increase inclusion, engage a wide audience, and support new and current PARC members across axes of diversity. The goal is to create an organization and field where people of all backgrounds and experiences can thrive, advancing PARC’s mission to forge proactive partnerships to conserve amphibians, reptiles, and the places they live.
 
To recruit and support members from all backgrounds, particularly those from historically underrepresented backgrounds, PARC DEITT is pleased to announce the PARC Increasing Participation Award (PIPA). Recipients of the award will be provided up to $500 to attend a regional PARC meeting of their choice. The awardee will also be provided with mentorship and networking support before and at the meeting which they attend. Multiple awards may be made in 2020. At this time, we are only accepting PIPA applications for Northwest and Southeast PARC meetings, which will occur in early 2020. Stay tuned for another application for regional PARC meetings later in 2020.

If awarded the PIPA, a current mailing address will be requested. Awardees will have discretion over what portions of their application will or will not be shared (e.g. announcements at the meeting, on social media, or on PARC’s website). Applications will be evaluated by multiple independent reviewers using a double-blind system, and final awardees will be chosen by a selection panel based on the strength of the applicant's answers to the three Short Answer Questions.

Individuals eligible for the PIPA must:
1) be interested in the conservation of amphibians and/or reptiles,
2) be a U.S. citizen (we currently do not have the capacity to adhere to tax requirements for international applicants),
3) be a member of a historically underrepresented or marginalized group in amphibian and reptile conservation. This includes racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+, veterans, women, individuals with intellectual/physical disabilities, individuals from low-income background, or first-generation college students/degree holders.

Individuals can only apply once per year and cannot apply if they have already received the PIPA once in their career.

*If you have questions about your eligibility, please don’t hesitate to contact Neha Savant (diversity@parcplace.org).