My Sc3 Experience
Audrey (15) from Memphis, Tennessee, shares her experience at Sc3, the Student Climate & Conservation Congress 2023.
Dr. Mamie Parker, one of the Sc3 speakers, particularly inspired Audrey.
Audrey investigating the biodiversity of the Potomac River.
In workshops, students investigate environmental challenges and brainstorm solutions.
In between workshops and speakers, there’s a time for students to connect with each other and with nature.
Have you ever come to a place where you just do not want to leave? Or an experience so impactful that it urges you to leave to spread what you’ve learned? For me, the Student Conservation Climate Congress made me want to do both!
Embracing the Unfamiliar: From Memphis to West Virginia
Before I had even arrived I was already scared of everything and everybody. Growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, I was not usually exposed to anything environmentally related. But every time I would make the pilgrimage to the countryside, I would be filled with so much love for the environment - minus the scorching Southern heat. I would feel the grass under my toes, gazing at the stars every night. Although I felt so connected to the Earth, I longed to meet other environmentally conscious teenagers with the same drive as me.
As the winter frost began to appear, I started looking for summer programs as many teenagers do in their free time. Mindlessly scrolling, I stumbled upon the Student Climate and Conservation Congress, and immediately knew I had to apply. Fast forward five months and I was overpacking my suitcase heading to West Virginia.
I was overwhelmed with nerves about the kids and faculty but was put at ease when I arrived at Union Station. Less than 24 hours in and I had met kids from places I had not even imagined of. We got on the bus that would take us to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Conservation Training Center that we had heard so much about but had never seen.
After driving through uncharted roads, I was here. I arrived at the camp and saw this grand lodge with a big sign welcoming us. Thinking to myself, I realized I was finally here at SC3. Even though I had no clue what SC3 or NCTC meant, I was glad to be here. It was not even the first 24 hours here but I had already felt safe and comfortable around these people. I thought to myself, we are going to be okay.
Discovering my Roots and Overcoming Fears
I woke up at the crack of dawn and got ready to fight the day. Immediately after breakfast we began doing this Big Circle Presentation where we stood up on the podium and explained our Environmental Roots. I was at first nervous but a part of me wanted to explain my environmental passions. Dealing with presentation anxiety I was plagued by apprehension. At that moment I noticed that I had-no need to speak out against Memphis and bring justice to my city. I talked about how our utility services (Memphis Light, and Gas) left black and brown communities at a disadvantage by refusing to fix their infrastructure (my power was left off for almost 2 weeks). I exhumed to light how Memphis refuses to bring recycling to minority neighborhoods and still has not fixed lead pipes in certain schools.
Learning from Mentors and Speakers
The presentations lasted for an hour but I never wanted it to end. I felt so inspired to be surrounded by all these humans who all believed in conservation but for all different reasons. Many different people had reasons for being here. I encountered a teenager who aspired to become a sustainable fashion designer and another who wanted to bring notice to the mistreatment of the Gowanus Canal. Hearing multiple accounts like these made me grateful to be here.
Finishing that we broke off into different Circles , each with a focus on a different component of environmentalism. Before I made my decision I went to the Education OST where they discussed ways to reform education to be environmentally inclusive. I also stumbled upon the Agriculture and Renewable Energy OST, where they both intrigued me but did not captivate me. After doing the circle for two days I found myself gravitating towards the Environmental Justice Room. I felt called to this room; it represented everything that I wanted to stand for. All the different rooms interested me in some way, but this room was why I came over 300 miles to be here. I wanted to educate many on Memphis’s Environmental History but also to listen to others. In that room, I listened to kids from New York to Louisville. We were all from contrasting backgrounds but we all cared so much about this environment that was often abused by humans.
In this space it felt as if we were both the students and teachers. I just remember when the Environmental Justice Open Space Technology (OST) head Aida Orozco mentioned the importance of speaking but also listening. I practiced listening and truly grasping what everybody had to say. SC3 gave me the opportunity to learn in these circles but also during Speaker Presentations.
Mamie Parker, once the Assistant Director of Fisheries and Habitat Conservation at the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and recipient of the Presidential Rank Meritorious Service Award, came to speak to us. I felt so heard and gravitated to her. It was so foreign to me to see a black woman who was just as passionate, even more, to be here. Being 1 out of 4 black girls present, her achievement served as a powerful reminder of the impact and potential of black women, whose accomplishments are often underrepresented. As she told her story, I could feel as if she was telling a story to her grandchild. She told the story with so much warmth, as if she was talking to us individually. She had done and accomplished so much in her life, and here I was in the same vicinity as this woman.
The Potomac River: A Lesson in Biodiversity and Conservation
Not only did I learn so much from the speakers I also learned so much in nature. On Day 3 we cruised down the Potomac River for a 3-mile kayaking trip. I had never kayaked in my life but on the trip it felt so exhilarating. At that moment I felt so connected to nature. I put my hand in the calm, cool water and even let spiders hang in my kayak . I was surrounded by so much biodiversity. The faculty talked about the importance of being surrounded by nature but also the harmful effects of what could happen if we do not do something about it.
Being on the Potomac showed me why it is important to take care of the Earth. The river was filled with so many organisms that all cherished this place, coexisting with humans. The river was not just for us but was for everybody. The Potomac was so peaceful and every time I think about it I remember running my hand through the water, leaning back in the boat having a good time. I recalled thinking, we have to protect this planet. Our actions hold the power to determine its fate.
Awakening the Advocate in Me
On my second to last day I remember crying when I had a chat with one of my mentors: Jacqui Painter. I’m not someone who cries easily, but there was something about the experience, about what we’d learned together… I couldn’t put it into words. . My brain was filled with so much knowledge that I really wanted to get something done. I wanted to give back to my people. Not just in Memphis or Picayune where I was from, but my people.
I wanted to save not only us but everything on Earth. I shared how I felt in the Open Space Technology room, shared what I want to do for Memphis. And everyone just started chanting my name as if they all believed in me, as though they truly believed in me with all their might. It felt mighty to be with all these adults who did so much in their community. Their climate positivity was so contagious. They gave me this bug of hope and confidence where I had the ability to fight the climate crisis.
The day before I left I realized why alumni keep coming back. SC3 was unique; there was nothing like it.
Departing Inspired: A new vision for the future
Programs like Sc3 can be so powerful for kids. In my short span of a week I had already wanted to challenge the world. Even if I only went for one time I would be alright because I had already experienced so much, and now I’ve even become involved with my city's Environmental Foundation, and I’m interning with Green Schools Alliance! I strangely also felt proud of myself for leaving the city and going somewhere by myself. I would constantly remind myself that I found a Climate Program in the middle of nowhere. I put opportunities into my hand. I just remember leaving NCTC sad to leave but also inspired. Everything that I wanted to fight for was standing right in front me; I could not turn my back on Mother Earth.
Sc3 was the highlight of my summer and I wish everyone can experience it once. It left me with an amazing question that I think everyone should ask themselves:
What does a just and environmentally sustainable future look like and how can we build this together?
