Winter 2016

For interns, by interns

What’s in this edition?

• Current Interns
• Spring Forward
• News
• Past Interns

Current Interns

	Anna Rogers, Legislative Field Intern I am a senior at the University of Washington, majoring in Conservation Science and Resource Management. In my time at WEC, I have participated in phone banks and outreach efforts for the 2016 Legislative Session.  I have worked to develop new outreach strategies through local universities and community colleges.  My main project as an intern at WEC was investigative research and reporting for the 2016 report card on Lands Commissioner Goldmark and the Department of Natural Resources, available here.
	Connie Kim, Legislative Field Intern I am a senior at the University of Washington double majoring in Law, Societies, & Justice and Political Science. As a legislative field intern for WEC and WCV, I worked on voter outreach, volunteer recruitment, and am currently helping with event planning for the upcoming Orca Month Kick-off Event! Governor Jay Inslee will proclaim the month of June as Orca Month in Washington State. In honor of the 10 year anniversary of the Southern Resident Killer Whales being deemed endangered and in celebration of 8 new Orca calves this year, WEC is planning an Orca Month Kick-off Event and Birthday Party. Save the date for Sunday, June 5th and come join us for the fun!
	Elizabeth Claydon, Legislative Field Intern I’m a graduate of Eckerd College in Saint Petersburg, Florida where I double-majored in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. During my internship with WEC and WCV, I’ve completed an outreach presentation for the Evergreen Forests Agenda, and have done research for the Stand Up to Oil campaign. On January 5th, I attended the first of three Tesoro-Savage public hearings in Vancouver, WA. The hearing gave the public an opportunity to testify and give comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed oil terminal. The panel heard from countless people in opposition to the terminal – including local firefighters, community members, and leaders of indigenous nations.
	Kevin Terrado, Legislative Field Intern I am a senior at the University of Washington working towards completing my Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. As a Legislative Field Intern, my work mostly consisted of advocacy about current environmental issues through phone banking and mobilizing Washington voters. In addition, I organized a Policy and Activism event for students at University of Washington which had a great turn-out! Through student input, we were able to have data about student motivation and their barriers which can be used for future on-campus events.
	Hanan Osman, Legislative Communications Intern I am a junior studying Environmental Studies at the University of Washington Bothell. For the past couple months, I had the amazing opportunity to learn about the inner workings of an environmental organization. I conducted research, email metrics, managed social media for the Environmental Priorities Coalition, strengthened my communication skills, and so much more. This was a memorable experience that I will carry with me throughout my academic  and professional career. The priority of the Environmental Priorities Coalition during the legislative session was “Safeguard Our Environment”. The priority is comprised of four pillars: clean air, clean energy, clean and abundant water, and healthy lands. We worked on the opposition of House Bill 2840 to prevent water pollution from large dairy farms, and advocated for the Model Toxic Control Act for toxic reduction programs.

Spring Forward

Spring Tips

Spring is here, and that means it’s time to stop sulking around indoors and start enjoying all the Pacific Northwest has to offer. While you’re at it, lower your carbon footprint with these sustainable springtime ideas:

• In the market for a new Spring wardrobe? Think before you shop. The average American generates 82 pounds of textile waste every year. Don’t support unfair labor or a destructive global garment industry. Buy clothes made in the USA, or shop secondhand!
• Ride a bike! Obviously! It’s fun and emission free. Plus parking is easy!
• Not into biking? When travelling within city limits, take public transit or sign up for car-sharing.
• Having a picnic? Or… any meal? Buy local! Washington has excellent fresh produce and local goods at year-round farmers markets. As summer comes around, keep an eye out for the farmers market in your neighborhood. Be even more sustainable, and skip the meat! You’ll reduce your carbon footprint by 50% or more.

WEC Staff’s Favorite Springtime Destinations

Springtime in Seattle means more opportunities to go outside and enjoy what the PNW has to offer. Here are some of our staff’s favorite springtime destinations.

“Kayaking on Elliot Bay when the sun is out. Hitting up the WA Coast – we have some of the world’s best oysters on the coast” – Lennon Bronsema

“My favorite thing to do in the springtime is to walk down streets with flowering trees – which there are a surprising amount of in Seattle. Most of my jaunts are on Capitol Hill, but the UW campus is gorgeous in the springtime, as is the Arboretum.” – Kerry McHugh

“I love the Rhododendron species garden at the Weyerhaeuser campus – in May they have a blue poppy celebration but it’s beautiful all spring – and they even have a tropical greenhouse area! As well as boating in the Puget Sound and admiring the Columbia Gorge, Washougal and San Juan Islands ” – Sasha Pollack

“Hiking of course! And my favorite place is Shi Shi Beach on the Olympic Peninsula. ” – Cathy Lehman

“I love Shi Shi Beach on the Olympic Peninsula, Stuart Island, and Mt. Rainier area – To name a few!” – Minta Crafts

“Every spring I go fishing with my father-in-law at Banks Lake State Park. I don’t really care about the fishing but I look forward to spending a long weekend with Fred and fall in love with the red canyon walls and sunshine every time. It’s a gorgeous and little known place to most people I talk to. Lots of great rock climbing and sun for shoulder seasons” – Evan Escamilla

News

TOTAGO

When field organizer Lauren was reaching out to activists during Legislative Session, she was able to connect with Adrian, who has created a neat new app for people wanting to access hiking spots through transit options.

“At TOTAGO we are focused on getting more people into the outdoors by expanding public access to parks, wilderness, and open space worldwide. We built TOTAGO (Turn Off The App – Go Outside!), a mobile app for discovering and planning hiking trips and other outdoor activities using public transportation. We believe increasing access to the outdoors, especially for low-income populations in urban areas, is essential for sustainable conservation of parks and open space.”

Currently, TOTAGO is available on Android and is easily accessible through any mobile device through their website.

Staff Interview

Sasha Pollack: Climate & Clean Energy Program Director

Growing up in an environmentally progressive family prompted Climate & Clean Energy Program Director Sasha’s passion for preserving the environment. During my informational interview with Sasha, I learned the vitality of transferable skills through her rewarding experience serving 2 ½ years in Mali, West Africa with the Peace Corps after completing her undergraduate degree at Oberlin College. While there were limitations on what she could accomplish in terms of technical work and cultural differences, Sasha was able to encourage sustainable agriculture in the town of 10,000. When she returned to the states at the young age of 24, Sasha had gained immeasurable experiences of ethics and values that most people her age could not vouch for.

Though she has been with WEC for 3 years, Sasha has had a myriad of experiences before moving to Seattle in environmental work as a policy analyst for both local and state governments. Some of my favorite pieces of advice she gave me were,

“Get a degree in what you’re interested in. Graduate school can be useful (but not necessary). When looking at jobs, don’t look at the subject matter but skill set it will get you and how it’ll broaden your current skill set. Be conscious of the knowledge of work and how it interacts. And spend time on articulating how past work can be relevant to any job you apply for.”

Thanks Sasha for the advice and for all of your hard work!

Best Wishes to Maddie Foutch: Field Organizer

Maddie Foutch, our talented Field Organizer, moved on in January to manage Tina Podlodowski’s campaign for Secretary of State.  Maddie, a Seattle native who holds degrees in Business Administration and Environmental Studies from UW, came to WEC in 2012, initially working as our Aquatic Reserves Project Coordinator.  Maddie has a passion for human rights, social justice, and the environment.  She hopes to continue to work for the greater good, in this election season and beyond.

Past Interns

Matthew Baldwin, 2015 Development & Data Intern

“As a Development and Data Intern I got to assist the Development team in ensuring that all of the data that they received from members was handled in such a way that relationships with our members was the best it could possibly be. I was also fortunate enough to work with the event team in the lead up to the Green Gala. I’m in my second semester of my Master’s in International Relations through American University. I’m concentrating on Sustainable International Development. In the future I hope to mix these behind the scenes skills with my advocacy work, and make the best use of my new abilities.”

Jessa Cameron, 2015 Summer Campaign Intern

“I interned with WEC and WCV last summer as a Summer Campaign Intern, where I had the opportunity to work with the field team on a variety of awesome environmental campaigns. Since my internship ended, I have been back at school, as I am in my senior year at UW studying political science and sociology. I work for our student government as the Student Senate Vice Speaker and a member of the Board of Directors. Lobbying and organizing around issues of higher education, I often use the skills I learned during my internship to recruit volunteers and work with legislators in Olympia. I graduate in June, so “what’s next” is a question I try to answer daily, but I would love to get involved in political campaigns or non-profit work in Seattle or Washington, D.C.”

Keanu Reynolds-Rivera, 2015 Summer Intern

“Since wrapping up at WEC and WCV I’ve returned to UW to finish up my senior year. I’m still planning on graduating in spring with a degree in Conservation Biology and minors in Environmental Studies and Urban Ecological Design. In addition to school this year I’ve also been appointed to the committee of UW’s Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF) as well as the board of the school’s Environmental Stewardship Committee. These positions are allowing me to impact UW sustainability in a myriad of new ways ranging from campus policy to infrastructure. I’m currently in the process of applying for internships and jobs for after graduation and am looking forward to using some of the skills I gained at Washington Environmental Council in the real world!”

Morgan Flake, 2010 Intern

“After graduating in Urban & Environmental Policy in 2012, Morgan pursued work in public health and social justice. She earned her master of public health from Columbia University in 2015, where she researched the relationship between immigration policy and health. She continues to work toward environmental sustainability and social justice through education as the Associate Program Manager at Global Visionaries, a local Seattle nonprofit dedicated to developing young people as socially and environmentally conscious global leaders.

Faye Kennedy, 2015 Summer Intern

“In the summer of 2015 I was an intern at the WEC, focusing on the social media promotion of Mark Powell’s Swim Duwamish adventure. My internship was an inspiring experience that has moved me to focus my education on water quality and marine conservation. I am currently in my third year at Seattle University, continuing my education in Environmental Studies and Biology.”