This past semester (Spring 2015) I was enrolled in a course called Climate Change with Dr. Eric Gruenstein and ten other students interested in this issue which effects our entire population. I entered the classroom with a love for nature and had worked a little bit with the UC Sustainability office so I considered myself mildly knowledgeable on the topic of climate change. I can honestly say this course taught me something new everyday and I will never quite see the world the same way again. Each day we were presented new startling statistics and information on the rate and effects of climate change as well as whether we believed mitigation or adaption was our best move at this point in our generation. We also had weekly reflections on reading materials provided by professor Gruenstein which challenged us to think outside the box and truly walk a mile in the shoes of modern environmentalists.
For me this class was a chance to picture myself as a budding Rachel Carson type figure, and it was very inspiring. While many of the facts were very oppressive, discussion with the guest speakers and my peers always left me feeling like I was someone who could genuinely make a difference when it comes to climate change. As a class, we got the chance to do this when we split into small groups and partnered with local non-profits working towards a better future. My group consisted of Jacob Carson, Evan Franz, Emily Rodriguez and myself. Together we selected Granny's Garden School which is an outdoor education center in partnership with Loveland public schools. The program is for 1-4 graders but impacts them for their entire lives. We met directly with Roberta, or "Granny" as she is lovingly called to discuss the future of the organization. Granny runs the group directly out of her backyard and the program allows all kids who might not otherwise get the experience to grow and harvest crops from a garden. They also had two nature trails which they use in conjuction with the science program at Loveland elementary and middle schools. On one of our visits we spoke with one of several garden educators who create lesson plans and partner with teachers at the school to create interactive nature based lessons. The operational costs for the program are supported by several fundraisers they hold and the organization as a whole is extremely well run and cost efficient. We were able to champion and win for them funds to create a greenhouse in a neighboring school lot to further extend and improve year round education.
For me this class was a chance to picture myself as a budding Rachel Carson type figure, and it was very inspiring. While many of the facts were very oppressive, discussion with the guest speakers and my peers always left me feeling like I was someone who could genuinely make a difference when it comes to climate change. As a class, we got the chance to do this when we split into small groups and partnered with local non-profits working towards a better future. My group consisted of Jacob Carson, Evan Franz, Emily Rodriguez and myself. Together we selected Granny's Garden School which is an outdoor education center in partnership with Loveland public schools. The program is for 1-4 graders but impacts them for their entire lives. We met directly with Roberta, or "Granny" as she is lovingly called to discuss the future of the organization. Granny runs the group directly out of her backyard and the program allows all kids who might not otherwise get the experience to grow and harvest crops from a garden. They also had two nature trails which they use in conjuction with the science program at Loveland elementary and middle schools. On one of our visits we spoke with one of several garden educators who create lesson plans and partner with teachers at the school to create interactive nature based lessons. The operational costs for the program are supported by several fundraisers they hold and the organization as a whole is extremely well run and cost efficient. We were able to champion and win for them funds to create a greenhouse in a neighboring school lot to further extend and improve year round education.