From the president
To build a more representative environmental community, Devin Guthrie (he/him) engages in work to create a more equitable environmental society. He exposes people to environmental justice, educating on issues and providing opportunities to create solutions. As President of We Outside, an organization providing equitable environmental access to underrepresented communities, Devin has facilitated over ten free events such as horseback riding and camping. To continue spreading a love of nature, he works with 10 organizations to increase science communications on campus. He has volunteered for over 15 events, facilitating for organizations such as the UW-Madison Science Expeditions, Undergraduate Entomology Society, and Astronomy Club. He also provides opportunities to create scientific and community solutions for those interested. Devin does this as an event coordinator for UW-Madison’s Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity, and Sustainability club, and as a scholar of the Community Environmental Scholars Program.
Personal Statement
Wisconsin has a rich history of environmentalism, being the first in many aspects of the movement. These benefits are not evenly spread however, a disparity of environmental access, pollution exposure, and greenery still prevalent. I seek to solve these disparities to serve the diverse communities in urban areas like Milwaukee, my hometown. As an aspiring environmental scientist, I emphasize community engagement and environmental justice, creating equitable, effective, and sustainable solutions. It is important to me to uplift underrepresented communities' voices through my campus involvement. I expose people to what environmentalism entails, educating on the issues, then providing the tools to create solutions.
To inspire those to protect nature, I am president of We Outside, a student organization that provides equitable environmental access to underrepresented groups. I have facilitated over 10 free events such as sailing, horseback riding, camping, workshops, and bringing in speakers. Our community-based model allows students to propose their own ideas for events or utilize our resources to further their environmental knowledge. Our work inspires those with minimal environmental exposure to care about nature and find their place within it. We uplift voices that are often not heard to create a more representative field.
To get more people interested in the natural world, I also engage in science communication. I lead tours for UW-Madison Science Expeditions, teaching guests about botany research on campus. I facilitated Swarm to Table, connecting guests with activities to teach how insects have influenced our world. I guided night sky observations at Wisconsin’s largest star party, serving over 1000 people. I have volunteered with 10 organizations to facilitate over 15 events as an undergraduate. Once I engage people with the natural world, I then provide tools for them to make a difference.
I facilitate community and scientific solutions as a scholar in the Community Environmental Scholars Program and on the board of Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity, and Sustainability (SEEDS). The program aims to teach students how to facilitate engagement to aid the ecosystem and the community. I’m facilitating a project organizing We Outside members to lead events for groups outside of the university and creating garden beds for community centers. I am the event coordinator for SEEDS, receiving funding from the Ecological Society of America to support environmental research. I've helped create over ten events bringing in speakers, creating workshops, and hosting events. Our mentorship program connects students with mentors, bringing new voices into the scientific community. My positions allow me to connect interested members to opportunities on campus, facilitating exploration of interests within the environment.
Through this fellowship, I will further develop leadership skills to foster relationships between the university and surrounding community. The resources and connections will allow me to lift more voices and inspire those to make a difference. Wisconsin has been the birthplace of environmental change in the United States; expanding environmental justice to new heights with the experience I gain from this fellowship can help foster equitable and mutualistic relationships that benefit our state and the nation as a whole.