What Environmental Justice Really Means for Our Community

In Raleigh and beyond, environmental justice isn’t just about saving trees or recycling more — it’s about fairness, health, history, and power. It’s about ensuring that every neighborhood, no matter its zip code or income level, has the right to clean air, safe water, green space, and a say in what gets built in their backyard.

For decades, communities like Southeast Raleigh have carried a disproportionate share of the environmental burden. Factories, flood zones, neglected parks, and toxic runoff weren’t randomly placed — they were concentrated in historically Black, low-income neighborhoods. That’s where the fight for environmental justice begins.

Understanding the Roots of Environmental Injustice

Environmental injustice often shows up in everyday life:

• Flood-prone homes in low-lying areas

• Lack of access to clean, safe parks and nature

• Polluted creeks running behind schools and churches

• Heat-trapping neighborhoods with few trees or green spaces

• Decisions about development made without resident input

In Southeast Raleigh, the story of Walnut Creek tells it all. For years, the creek was neglected — a dumping ground for trash and runoff, surrounded by neighborhoods that were overlooked during major infrastructure upgrades. When Hurricane Fran hit in 1996, over 90% of the homes in Rochester Heights flooded, and state and federal assistance barely trickled in. The neighborhood, predominantly African American and working class, was left to clean up on its own.

But the community didn’t back down. They organized, spoke up, and laid the groundwork for what would become Partners for Environmental Justice (PEJ) — a local movement rooted in environmental restoration, equity, and community leadership.

What Environmental Justice Looks Like in Practice

At PEJ, we define environmental justice as the right of every resident — regardless of race, income, or background — to a clean, safe, and healthy environment, and to have a voice in decisions that affect it.

That vision shapes every project we lead:

• Restoring Walnut Creek Wetland Park so that it benefits the neighborhoods it flows through

• Engaging residents through the Watershed Learning Network, helping them understand and influence the systems that affect their lives

• Advocating for equitable development in Southeast Raleigh, so that new investments don’t push out long-term residents or harm sensitive ecosystems

• Partnering with schools, churches, and local agencies to create green infrastructure that manages flooding and pollution

Environmental justice isn’t a buzzword here — it’s a lived commitment to healing both the land and the people who call it home.

Why This Work Matters in Raleigh Today

Raleigh is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. But growth doesn’t always benefit everyone equally. In areas like Walnut Creek, unchecked development has led to increased runoff, worsening flood conditions, and a loss of affordable housing.

Without environmental justice, that growth threatens to repeat the patterns of the past.

With it, we can change the story. We can prioritize green solutions — like wetlands, rain gardens, and tree canopies — that improve health and resilience. We can ensure development includes affordable, sustainable housing and protects the people who’ve lived here for generations.

And most importantly, we can shift decision-making power to those most impacted.

What You Can Do to Support Environmental Justice Locally

Environmental justice work takes all of us. Whether you live in Southeast Raleigh or somewhere nearby, here are a few meaningful ways you can help:

• Learn about the history of Walnut Creek and the neighborhoods it touches

• Attend public meetings and speak up for equitable, green development

• Volunteer with PEJ to help restore wetlands, plant trees, or support education

• Invite us to speak at your school, church, or neighborhood group

• Donate to help fund programs that empower residents and protect our shared environment

This isn’t just a Southeast Raleigh issue — it’s a Raleigh issue. It’s a human issue. And your actions make a difference.

Environmental Justice is Community Justice

At its heart, environmental justice is about dignity. It's about the right to live without fear of floods, pollution, or being left out of decisions that shape your community’s future.

Here in Raleigh, we’re proud to be part of a movement that brings neighbors together, restores neglected places, and makes sure no one gets left behind.

If you care about clean water, healthy communities, and fairness — you’re already part of this movement.

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Want to learn more about how you can get involved in environmental justice work in Raleigh? Contact us or join a volunteer event to connect with others who are making a difference in your backyard.