Christina Nesset Recognized for Enviornmental Leadership
Posted by SCC on Thursday, October 7th, 2010.Durango Woman Recognized for Environmental Leadership
Honoree Receives Audubon/Toyota TogetherGreen Fellowship
New York, NY, October 6, 2010 –A Durango, Colorado woman is the recipient of a national conservation fellowship that will boost the number of hands-on conservation opportunities available to Durango teens.
Christina Nesset is one of 40 individuals nationwide selected as a 2010 TogetherGreen Fellow. Supported by a conservation alliance of Audubon and Toyota, the TogetherGreen Fellowship offers specialized training in conservation planning and execution, the chance to work and share best practices with gifted conservation professionals, and assistance with project outreach and evaluation. Each Fellow receives $10,000 towards a community-focused project to engage local residents in conserving land, water and energy, and contributing to greater environmental health.
For her project, Nesset will launch the River Conservation Program at Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC), where she holds the title of executive director for the Four Corners Office. The pilot program will be geared towards students aged 12-15 years old, a group of students that is too young for traditional jobs and often faces high costs if they want to participate in camps and other productive activities. River Conservation participants will be invited to take part in service projects along the Animas River, including clean-ups, invasive species removal and native plant restoration. They will also receive leadership training and education on stream ecology and water issues. The program will be made available at not cost to participants and will run in the summer of 2011. Registration will be available at www.sccorps.org.
In her current role at SCC, Nesset employs more than 250 seasonal crew leaders and members annually to complete conservation projects on public lands and is eager to engage new and motivated participants. Having spent her entire career empowering young people in the field of conservation, she has found that when teens given the ability to make a difference develop a connection and positive memory from the experience that leaves a life-long impression.
“Christina is the kind of person who can make a real difference in the health of our environment and the quality of our future,” said Audubon President David Yarnold. “Each of our TogetherGreen Fellows demonstrates exceptional environmental understanding and commitment, combined with tremendous potential to inspire and lead others. Together, they represent the talented and diverse leadership the environmental community will need to tackle the huge challenges and opportunities confronting us today and in the years to come.”
”This fellowship provides me with the uncommon opportunity to combine my Conservation Corps’ experience with my passion for rivers,” said Nesset. “With young adults in mind, especially the conservation-minded young adults who yearn to make a meaningful difference in their community, this program is designed to engage them in meaningful projects and hands-on education. I see it as an investment in the future. Our young adults are tomorrow’s decision makers, stewards, voters and leaders of our community.”
Nesset has been affiliated with the Southwest Conservation Corps since 2002. Half of the TogetherGreen Fellows come from within Audubon’s far-reaching national network; half channel their environmental efforts through other organizations.
Nesset received her Bachelor’s degree in environmental earth science from University of Mary Washington. A dedicated environmental practitioner, Nesset has spent 16 years successfully working with teens on environmental issues in the states of Colorado, Montana, New York, Virginia and Washington.
Fellowship recipients were chosen from a large pool of highly qualified individuals. All were required to have at least six years of experience in conservation, environmental education, policy, or related issues; a demonstrated passion for conservation and a proven track record of reaching previously underserved audiences. Applicants also need to express a desire to learn and grow. An advisory committee composed of conservation professionals and experts in environmental education, communications, outreach, and conservation planning made selections.
“TogetherGreen gives me optimism,” said Diane Wood, President, National Environmental Education Foundation, and TogetherGreen Advisory Board Member. “TogetherGreen Fellows are smart, passionate and representative of diverse communities. They bring vital new voices and perspectives into environmental conversations and are clearly ready to take on today’s and tomorrow’s ever more challenging conservation issues.”
A complete list of the 2010 TogetherGreen Fellows can be found at www.TogetherGreen.org/fellows.
