Former Enviroleader Joins SEC’s Board of Directors

A 3-time Enviroleader alumna of Sonoma Ecology Middle, Ava Castro just lately joined Sonoma Ecology Middle’s Board of Administrators. We sat down with Ava to listen to her perspective on the position of regenerative considering in environmental work, and what she hopes to deliver to SEC as a brand new member of our Board of Administrators.

You had been as soon as SEC’s Enviroleader for 3 semesters. After graduating from this program, you’ve returned plenty of instances to host occasions at Sonoma Backyard Park. As a Program Coordinator of the Day by day Acts, you latterly hosted a Compost Training occasion on the park. What are you hoping to deliver to the way forward for Sonoma Ecology Middle now as a member of our Board of Administrators? 

Firstly, I’m honored to be part of the Board of Administrators with the Sonoma Ecology Middle. I’m wanting ahead to not solely being an advocate for the entire SEC neighborhood, but additionally keen to make sure that the actions of the group proceed to uphold their values and mission. 

As a Board member, my purpose is to help with strategic planning and drawback fixing throughout the group, particularly relating to initiatives and concepts which have potential to create instrumental change concerning local weather justice points all through the Bay Space. 

Throughout my first few months on the board, I imagine it’s vital to prioritize listening and studying about all that the SEC has been doing over the previous couple years. Although I used to be as soon as an Enviroleader, a very priceless and momentous self-development expertise, the Sonoma Ecology Middle has many outstanding packages and tasks past the internship that I’ve but to completely discover. I’m excited to attach with workers and be taught higher information in regards to the varied departments with a view to establish methods to finest profit the wants and targets of the group. 

Within the time from being an SEC Enviroleader to now, you’ve gone to school, and gained a number of labor expertise in sustainable agriculture and local weather resiliency. How has your perspective modified in regards to the position Sonoma Ecology Middle may play in enhancing the ecological well being of the valley?

Total my perspective on the necessity for sustainability has modified over the previous couple years. Inside environmentalism, we’re seeing a shift away from the phrase “sustainability” which has been overused by media and advertising and marketing in addition to taken over a brand new that means in earlier years. Now, we’re seeing higher focus in the direction of regenerative considering moderately than sustainability. 

Once I was first launched to the concept of regenerative considering, I didn’t totally perceive the reasoning behind it and felt that it was simply an insignificant change in verbiage which might have little affect on actions. Nevertheless, after working with Day by day Acts and from associated experiences within the subject, I perceive that cause and want for this shift. As a neighborhood and a society, we will not afford to merely maintain the actions we’ve tailored as societal norms; as that thought course of isn’t in the most effective pursuits of our Earth. As a substitute, we have to shift to regenerative residing, so our actions are making a optimistic affect on the land we reside. Environmentalism is not merely about sustaining our lives and guaranteeing that the land is wholesome sufficient to fulfill our wants, however moderately action-driven environmentalism that meets the wants of the land as properly. Taking a regenerative method is about switching the paradigms we’ve grown accustomed to and curating our actions to be useful to the environments during which we select to name house. 

Working as an Enviroleader was an unbelievable expertise. On the time we labored primarily within the Sonoma Backyard Park with occasional visits to Sugarloaf or to finish work in the neighborhood. Once I was on the Sonoma Backyard Park, the main focus was positioned on studying about sustainable and water-wise agricultural practices, all while growing mushy and technical abilities. Whereas it was an unbelievable expertise, I now have higher recognition for the work SEC does past Sonoma Backyard Park and the holistic method SEC takes to deal with ecological well being within the valley and Sonoma County neighborhood.

Sonoma Ecology Middle works on a wide range of frontiers inside environmental justice; from childhood schooling to advocacy for coverage, and restoration to analysis. Via their completely different initiatives and grant work, SEC is using regenerative and integrative strategies to deal with environmental well being wants in addition to neighborhood wants together with housing, indigenous land protections, biomass options, and waste administration. By focusing sources into these varied points of the neighborhood, we’re in a position to make sure that the ecological work being achieved is systemic. As my perspective and mindset continues to develop, I’ve a deeper appreciation for the method SEC takes, which is a stupendous instance of innovation and resurging pure, native options.

What do you foresee as Sonoma Ecology Middle’s and different environmental nonprofits’ largest challenges within the North Bay? And the way do you see us probably addressing these challenges properly?

Once I take into consideration the present challenges that environmental nonprofits face, and significantly these confronted by the Sonoma Ecology Middle, the general identifiable theme is guaranteeing equitable illustration of the neighborhood within the face of native political points, particularly these concerning city, residential, and industrial improvement. 

The Sonoma Ecology Middle does a implausible job of advocating for the wellbeing of the neighborhood on environmental, equitable, and financial fronts. As a company that acts as a number one voice for the most effective pursuits of the neighborhood, that means for the individuals and the land, it’s important that the SEC continues to have a seat on the desk in conversations round land administration and neighborhood improvement. 

Is there the rest you wish to share with our SEC neighborhood?

I’m once more honored to be part of the SEC Board and part of the SEC neighborhood. I’m impressed with the administration of the board and its working rules. The Sonoma Ecology Middle is working in the direction of higher inclusivity, integrity, and intentionality by diversifying the staff whereas additionally guaranteeing that the board totally understands the roles and obligations of departments via participation in committee conferences. The actions of SEC workers and board are actually working to be a greater illustration of the Valley. 

I’d like to specific my appreciation for Jennifer Palladini and Jeanne-Louise Camus who recognized this chance, and for David Morell, Board President. Even have a lot gratitude for the mentors in my life who initially related me with the SEC, together with Tony Passantino, SEC’s Training Program Supervisor, who was my Enviroleader teacher again within the day and Karling Skoglund and Felicia Rush, former agricultural science instructors.

I’m excited to contribute and assist the nice work being achieved by the Sonoma Ecology Middle.