As a child, I spent lots of time outdoors at my grandparents’ farm. My cousins and I were constantly exploring nature, building outdoor forts, hiking, and canoeing as much as we could. Many of the best memories of my life involve being in the great outdoors with loved ones, truly enjoying what nature has to offer. When I look back on these wonderful memories, one thing always comes to mind. I want my future children–and their future children– to have these formative experiences with nature as I did. When I turned eighteen, the family farm was sold, and that chapter of my life closed.
Once I became aware of the environmental issues facing our planet, my love of nature fueled a passion for sustainable living. I decided to be the change I wanted to see, and it wasn’t easy. But being passionate about the environment has been one of the best parts of my life. As a first-year student at UC looking for service opportunities, I stumbled across an application for a sustainability advocate position with UC Sustainability. I got hired and started working during my second semester, and it has been an amazing addition to my life at UC.
I am currently going into my third year as an Information Systems major, and I have now worked with UC Sustainability for over a year. Being a sustainability advocate has opened so many doors for me in various ways. It has allowed me to meet sustainability leaders not just at UC, but throughout Cincinnati. I have done very meaningful work that I enjoy, like gardening with kids, directly reducing waste during move-in, recycling at sporting events, and lots more. I have learned so much about dozens of sustainability topics, and I have found a new love for gardening. I also get to work with an amazing group of like-minded individuals whom which I learn more from every day.
Maybe you are like me, and you are a UC student passionate about the environment and looking for a way to get involved on campus. If you have a desire to build your leadership skills doing work you are passionate about, being a sustainability advocate is a great way to do just that. If you are looking for less of a commitment, we have lots of events, films, lectures, and volunteer opportunities open to all UC students. What’s most important is making a difference and learning more in any way you can, even if it’s as simple as going out of your way to recycle more or lowering your use of single-use plastics. If each of us puts effort in, we will have a great chance of conserving the breathtaking beauty of nature for generations to come.
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