What do you do as a retired nurse looking for a new challenge? Join AmeriCorps! Hi, I'm Kathryn. I stepped away from public health nursing last May and searched for an opportunity to make a difference. Within days of posting my resume on the AmeriCorps application site, I was contacted and encouraged to apply to be one of the new Campus Climate Action Corps Climate Action Leaders. I joined Stetson University's Center for Community Engagement last October and began this new journey.
Since then, I have become immersed in the Stetson community, which has environmental sustainability as a core value. Working with two student CCAC AmeriCorps Energizers and a team of five Environmental Fellows, we have started several initiatives aimed at providing practical actions that everyone can take to reduce our carbon footprint (follow our campaign on Instagram @environmentalfellows).
Additionally, we are working to rehabilitate a section of a local nature trail (https://www2.stetson.edu/today/2020/08/stetson-water-institutes-bartram-gardens-trail-educates-community-about-natural-world/) that was severely damaged during Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Freshwater inundated the pollinator garden and allowed the local manatee population an opportunity to feast on the native upland plants. Though happy to provide an additional food source to this beloved and endangered resident of central Florida, the trail was left in bad condition. We are working with native plant experts on campus to design and replant the garden later this spring. The design will incorporate lessons learned from recent climate change impacts and create a space that is both beautiful and resilient. Part of the project will be to create a management plan, in collaboration with the facility maintenance team, that will allow for the long-term sustainability of the site.
Working with the students, faculty, and staff at Stetson University was exactly what I needed. At a time when I was discouraged with my ability to make a difference, I have found a place where I can use the skills garnered during the last 40 years to make positive changes in my community. Thank you, AmeriCorps and Campus Compact!