Americorps and Beyond
Hello. My name is Christian.
I've always been known among my peers as an "environmental nag". I could never stand littering of any kind. When the city finally began recycling, I was the one to organize a house wide revolt against all things plastic(of the #1 and #2 category, of course), cardboard, tin and aluminum. I remember clearly a disjoined rant over the fact that they would not recycle glass!
My story really begins in June of last year. That is when I relocated to Austin, TX specifically to join an Americorps program. It is called Environmental Corps and I started to truly making a positive difference in my community and environment.
I was given a living stipend. Barely-living stipend as they like to call it. It amounted to less than minimum wage and was just enough to get myself started. I've learned so many priceless lessons in this grand adventure, first and foremost: live modestly! ;D
It’s difficult to explain what it is we do in only a few paragraphs. But this is us: We help the general public gain access to the beautiful places around Central Texas by building trails. I find that if people can experience the natural world first hand they are more motivated to protect it (a mission of ever increasing importance in one of the fastest growing city in the nation).
I even took charge of a volunteer recycling program in the Charter school in which E-corps is based. Recycling is a surprisingly dirty job when you’re cleaning up after high school students who don’t really care and don’t really think. I’m sure it contributed to that gray strand of hair that always stares back at me every morning. But it’s what I signed up for and I’m thankful for the opportunity.
Other duties include removing native invasive and non-native invasive. You wouldn't think that a chainsaw could be used in precious watershed protection, would you? But it is. We've spent months at a time removing Juniper. Because human activity has virtually stopped natural brush fires from ravaging the hill country, Juniper has grown rampant. They consume 75% of water before it can reach the aquifer.
Close to my heart are our attempts to reestablish habitat for species like the golden-cheeked warbler and black caped vireo, endangered songbirds. All this work required use of power tools that have traditionally been used for destruction of out natural recourses. It’s a strange irony, but I think I like it!
Needles to say, I didn't really know what I was getting into. I also didn't realize how enriching the experience would be! The friends I’ve obtained will be friends and potential environmental allies throughout my life.
I've learned more about human impact and responsibility than I ever dreamed! I became convinced that this world needs people of passion such as myself, now more than ever. If our society is to survive, we need to get serious about sustainable living.
Below is the Americorps pledge:
I will get things done for America -
to make our people safer,
smarter, and healthier.
I will bring Americans together
to strengthen our communities.
Faced with apathy,
I will take action.
Faced with conflict,
I will seek common ground.
Faced with adversity,
I will persevere.
I will carry this commitment
with me this year and beyond.
I am an AmeriCorps member,
and I will get things done
Perhaps it was worded that way in order to secure a particular grant, at a particular time. Cynicism aside, it's a creed I have dedicated myself to for the past year and a half; and it's one which I strive to live by for the remainder of my life.
At the end of the year, I will have finished up my service with Americorps. But my service to the environment has only just begun! I'm going to continue to give back. I'm going back to school, getting a degree in environmental science, all the while contributing to worthy endeavors such as this website!
I've been a part of message boards for as long as I can remember. I've seen those that work, and those that simply foster bad feelings among it’s members. I know what works and what doesn't. I choose to dedicate a certain amount of time to such things, so I am generally picky about what boards I join.
I think this one will be completely worth my while! Very exciting!
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