To the students, staff, faculty, and members of the LAWR and greater scientific community:

The University of California, Davis Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources firmly condemns the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, David McAtee and many others and stands in solidarity with the Black community and those who are suffering as a result of these events. These acts stand contrary to basic universal human rights, and locally, the UC Davis Principles of Community. The Principles of Community honor the dignity inherent in all of us and strive to maintain a climate of equity and justice demonstrated by respect for one another, while recognizing this society’s long history of injustice and bias.

Today, we especially want to show our unconditional support to the Black members, of our community at UC Davis, the surrounding region, and the general scientific and academic community. We pledge to continue acting against systemic and structural racism, sexism, homophobia, and inequities that have led to persistent grave ills in our society. We recognize that solving environmental challenges and achieving environmental justice across soil biogeochemistry, atmospheric, and hydrological sciences requires innovative, diverse perspectives and connectivity and we appreciate you being part of our community.

We know that these are very stressful times and we would like to list some campus resources available to potentially support you through these troubling crises.

• Student health and Counseling services
• Report an incident
• Academic and Staff Assistance program
• Anti-racism resources

We are committed to transforming our department, community and society to one that is more equitable, just, and inclusive to Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color (BIPOC) as well as different class, gender, sexual identities, and their intersections. We will no longer tolerate acts of discrimination or violence, we will not stay silent. We aspire to engage as a community, and learn more about these systemic and structural issues. We challenge ourselves to persistently and effectively address them to improve all of our futures, together.

In solidarity,

William R. Horwath, Chair

LAWR Diversity Committee Kosana Suvočarev, Chair Cristina Lazcano

Mallika Nocco Kyaw Tha Paw U Erwan Monier

Samuel Sandoval Solis

LAWR Faculty