In honour of Earth Week, InsideNC caught up with three of our NC student Sustainability Ambassadors. This trio of students from the School of Environment have been working to help make our campuses, our communities and the world a greener place. They’ve also taken on key roles, along with a mighty team of 25 Sustainability Ambassadors, in planning our College’s Earth Week initiatives for 2022.
We asked about their passion for the environment, what inspired them to get involved, what their plans are for Earth Week, and more. Here is what they had to say:
Lindsay Taylor
Lindsay Taylor
Program:
Environmental Technician – Field and Laboratory (co-op)
Residence:
St. Catharines
Why were you interested in being a sustainability ambassador at NC?
Developing the Sustainability Ambassador program began as a work project for my role as a Sustainability Technician with the Office of Sustainability. Timing of this program aligned with the rising popular appreciation for sustainability in action within academia and the community.
Within the environmental circles on campus, I would often hear from my peers that there was no avenue for students to access sustainability at Niagara College. The Sustainability Ambassador program quickly began the missing bridge for students to link their ideas to on-campus and in-community action.
What do you find rewarding about the experience of being a sustainability ambassador?
Being a sustainability ambassador has offered me the opportunity to pursue a wide range of sustainability activities at Niagara College. Within these events and workshops, I have broadened my technical skillset and sustainability knowledge. On a personal level, I have expanded my sustainability network by connecting with others interested in pursuing climate action and sustainability broadly. As a sustainability ambassador, I find it rewarding to teach, learn, lead, and connect with both like-minded and different-minded folks at Niagara College and in the community.
What have been the major highlights of your experience?
Throughout the Winter 2022 term, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ruth McComb and Olivia Croxall, fellow Sustainability Ambassadors, on sustainability communication and outreach activities. Over the last few years, social media has played a critical role in environmental action. Staying connected when most things were virtual was a big challenge for us. Leveraging tools such as Teams, our team came together and provided fellow NC Knights with consistent weekly sustainability-themed content. It was a joy making creative content with Olivia and Ruth!
What will you be doing for Earth Week/ Earth Day?
I plan to participate in all the Earth Week activities! On Earth Day, in particular, I’m looking forward to co-leading, alongside fellow Sustainability Ambassador Akira Ourique, a Pawpaw tree planting at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Why do you feel it’s important to participate in Earth Week/Earth Day initiatives?
Earth Week is a time for us, as a Niagara College community, to celebrate the work we have done and are doing to steward a sustainable future. One thing I have learned throughout my time as a Sustainability Ambassador is that the opportunities for sustainable initiatives are plentiful.
Ruth McComb
Ruth McComb
Program:
Environmental Management and Assessment
Residence:
I currently live in Niagara Falls, but I am originally from the small town of Harriston, Ontario.
Why were you interested in becoming a sustainability ambassador at NC?
After recently completing my undergrad degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Waterloo, I knew the importance of becoming involved in programs and groups that promote connecting people and the environment.
Sustainability is so much more than incorporating small changes into your personal life – it is about looking at the big picture and seeing how you can participate in initiatives much bigger than yourself! I knew I could do that as a sustainability ambassador.
After completing the EMA program, I am hoping to pursue a career in the sustainability field. My experience as a sustainability ambassador will help me to gain experience and broaden my perspective on how sustainability can be incorporated into every aspect of my life, both personally and professionally.
What do you find rewarding about the experience of being a sustainability ambassador?
I enjoy connecting with other like-minded students and staff who share my passion for educating others on and learning more about sustainability-related initiatives both on campus and off.
What have been the major highlights of your experience?
I’ve enjoyed being a part of the social media team, creating content and educating the community on interesting facts and initiatives for Monitoring Mondays!
What will you be doing for Earth Week/ Earth Day?
I will be participating in both a campus clean-up event and the virtual BioBlitz event on April 23. I was responsible for planning and creating content for the BioBlitz event, guiding participants on how to navigate the iNaturalist app, and coordinating with key groups and individuals. I’ve also assisted with planning various clean-up events happening across the Niagara region on April 23.
Is there something you are most looking forward to about Earth Week?
I am most looking forward to seeing and connecting with community members participating in the campus clean-up on April 23!
Why do you feel it’s important to participate in Earth Week/Earth Day initiatives?
It’s important to participate in Earth Week as it helps to demonstrate our commitment to actively keeping our home clean and green!
Olivia Croxall
Olivia Croxall
Program:
Environmental Management and Assessment
Residence:
I grew up in the beautiful small town of Uxbridge, and now I live in Toronto.
Why were you interested in becoming a sustainability ambassador at NC?
I believe communities bring about change; being involved in a community has always been important to me. Sustainability benefits everyone and, being involved as a sustainability ambassador at NC, I have been able to be a part of a community that shared the same values. Sustainability has a place everywhere – in businesses, in the environment, and part of our everyday lives.
What do you find rewarding about the experience of being a sustainability ambassador?
Being part of the communications and outreach stream of the Sustainability Ambassador program has made me feel a sense of accomplishment and reward by creating content that spreads awareness about the importance of sustainability.
What have been the major highlights of your experience?
Creating content for the Waste Wednesday social media posts has been a highlight for me as I am passionate about waste management. Connecting with like-minded individuals has also been a highlight.
What will you be doing for Earth Week/Earth Day?
I will be participating in the virtual BioBlitz event on April 23. I look forward to searching for ecological diversity in downtown Toronto.
Is there something you are most looking forward to about Earth Week?
I look forward to seeing how many people participate in Earth Week/Day on social media. Seeing people all around the world care and value this beautiful Earth just as much as I do is a great feeling and provides a lot of hope for the future.
Why do you feel it’s important to participate in Earth Week/Day initiatives?
It’s important to participate in Earth Week/Day initiatives to show a dedication to being a good environmental steward that spreads awareness and connects with all species that share this land with us.
Get involved with Earth Week at NC
Read about what our College’s student sustainability ambassadors have planned for Earth Week 2022 and how you can participate on /nsideNC here:
