Event information: Meeting with PennFuture and NPCA, June 18, Harrisburg, PA
Our staff ventured to Harrisburg on June 18, a warm Pennsylvania day, to learn all things environmental policy from PennFuture. We met briefly with Ezra Thrush, Director of Policy, and continued our day with Taylor Nezat, Campaign Director for Watershed Advocacy, and Amanda John, PA and DE program manager of the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). It was so mind-boggling to me learning about how the Pennsylvanian government interacts with environmental and conservation organizations. There are so many gears involved in their interactions and communicative processes that I am still wrapping my head around. I do feel as though I have more of an understanding of law and policy regarding environmental bills being passed, etc. Though the day was quite flexible in terms of how and what we planned on doing, it definitely took a helpful turn. Amanda, who is a Dickinson alumna, provided us student Watershed Coordinators with a lot of wisdom and advice regarding post-grad plans for the type of work we are passionate about. By the end of the experience, I felt more involved, passionate, and revived despite the opinions the current administration has on environmental protection. Though I may not pursue a career in policy, I do seek to be kept in the loop by learning about my local representatives and their opinions on science. I feel like I have more questions than I do answers, with answers to the questions I had previously, which is a paradox that seems to be recurring in life, but I am grateful to be curious and enamored with what I love.
Our group along the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg!