As a Jepson student every semester I take multiple leadership courses in which I am asked to analyze historical leaders or identify behavioral qualities of a leader in an effort to understand leadership from many perspectives. When the topic of leadership came up in one of our readings for Geography of the James I was very intrigued. The article broke down the elements of an effective environmental leader into three parts: knowledge, power, and passion. Perhaps this is simply the leadership studies major in me, but I feel that throughout the course of the semester the class Geography of the James and the experiences in the Earth Lodge community has provided each of us with the means of becoming successful environmental leaders.
Knowledge is certainly one area in which we have all improved. The class itself was academically rigorous and included readings and lectures that improved our knowledge of watersheds, environmental issues, and the history of our local area. By using the James River as a case study, we learned about larger issues through their connection with the James. For example, learning about the Kepone disaster served as an excellent lens into the environmental issue of superfund sites. The readings we had provided us with scholarly information that also related to what we experienced and observed around us.
The class also emphasized gaining knowledge through exploring in the field. Through our class field trips, walks around campus, and time at my reflection spot I learned so much more about the ecology and geography of the Richmond area than I previously knew. In my last blog post I mentioned how I noticed the change in the life found in our lake ecosystem during the winter and into the spring. However, if our class had not required me to stop and reflect on what I was seeing I doubt I would have been able to see past the aesthetics and start to question how our campus community impacts the lake ecosystem. The little things that I have begun to notice and question are a direct result of spending time in the field learning rather than simply learning through lectures and readings.
The many guest speakers we interacted with during the semester also gave us an inside scoop on current projects and ideas that are in the works. This gave us information that few individuals have access to. For example, getting the chance to hear directly from the University architect about the upcoming construction plans on campus let us understand what the future of the campus will look like more than the average student is aware of. I also found it really interesting to hear from him that the University only tries to achieve the basic components of a LEED Certified building. Also, being able to visit the James River with Ralph White was an extraordinary experience. He has so much knowledge of the James and the park system and we really couldn’t have found a better source of information than learning directly from him.
The second aspect of an environmental leader is power. Most college students do not have much power or influence in their communities, however Geography of the James gave us an opportunity to get involved and make positive changes in manageable ways. Through our service hours we became involved with organizations or groups that set out to achieve similar goals as us. During my time volunteering at the Environmental Film Festival I met many people who were making personal changes in their lifestyles to be more environmentally responsible. Talking to these individuals was truly empowering because they gave me so much hope that as one person I had the ability to make a difference.
Another way that we as students have been able to develop small roles of power is through our group projects. Each group is able to make a significant contribution to an ongoing community project and take the lead on an aspect of the project. For example, my group is developing a geo-story to raise awareness about the ecology of pony pasture. We are in charge of developing content and compiling the website with the goal of increasing public understanding of the necessity of parks like Pony Pasture.
The final element of a successful environmental leader is passion. Obviously passion for the environment was a main reason that each of us joined earth lodge, however, my passion has changed and grown during my time in Geography of the James. I no longer feel that being at Richmond separates me from nature. I can now recognize the natural ecosystems that are all around me and I feel responsible for making sure that they stay healthy and protected. This class has given me a greater understanding of the geography of Richmond and what parks and trails are nearby. Getting involved in the outdoor community in Richmond makes this place feel much more like home for me and I have grown to love the James River and surrounding area. The combination of increased knowledge, power, and passion for the James River from our class has instilled in me a sense of community and stewardship that I hope to carry with me for the rest of my time here at Richmond.