The Academy and Me

While flying from Seattle three weeks ago, I took the chance to read an article in the Delta Sky magazine at the back of the seat in front of me. Among other interesting articles discussing topics such as Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, there was an article focused on ways to enjoy national parks. 

This immediately caught my attention. Initially I was curious because I wanted to see which parks in the article I had already been to, and I also wanted to see which parks should be added to my checklist. But the main reason I took an interest in the article was because of the NPS/SCA Academy and the experiences I have had in national parks because of my participation in this program.

The article was a guide for exploring national parks, but I could not help but notice that none of the faces exploring the parks looked like me (I'm no model, so not me exactly), and no one looked like they came from my neighborhood or my culture. 

I was a part of the first Academy group in Grand Teton National Park (NP), one of many both that week and in the years since who has had their mind opened wide to the awesome aspects of the natural world and national parks. I have since been swimming in the North Cascades, searched for ginseng poachers in the Great Smokies, worked along a congressman in the Olympics, seen wolves and bison in Yellowstone, and many other adventures. The article and the national parks had a problem. They both were diversity deficient. The Academy made me a solution.

But as I looked past that to the intention of the article, I came to a realization. Pocahontas, in the Disney movie version of the story, told John Smith:

Come run the hidden pine trails of the forest

Come taste the sunsweet berries of the Earth

Come roll in all the riches all around you

And for once, never wonder what they're worth

This program has allowed me to do all these things and more. It has given me the opportunity to travel, see amazing places, meet a diverse group of people, and broaden my horizons. It has given me opportunities to learn about myself and grow as an individual, as a member of a team, and as a leader. 

This program has been and will continue to be worth all the time and effort that goes into making sure that it runs smoothly. It has been a positive influence not only on my life, but on others whose stories and experiences you can follow here as well.

So in essence this post is part thank you letter, part call to action. For those who have worked tirelessly with all the connected organizations, your efforts are noticed and forever appreciated. For those of you who have participated, continue to make a difference and share these experiences wherever you go. And for those of you who may not find yourself in either category, get involved or get out there! There is nature to explore!

STATISTICS REPORT UPDATE: "SCA GROWTH AND NETWORKING STUDY CF-2119"

It has just recently crossed over a year since the 2011 NPS Spring Break Academy took place in those high frosty hinterlands of Jackson Hole. Now I am in New Orleans, steeped in history and community every second of the day and just saving my energy for the next festival (Easter).
I have signed up as a volunteer at the French Quarter site of Jean Lafitte, and I have visited the other national park sites in the area (excluding Chalmette Civil War Battlefield). I have been applying like mad for summer positions, and have given an interview or two with much hope.
Also there are my academic things, which take up a lot of my interest and lifesblood, but I will omit remarks on that subject here.
So yes, now you see what the Academy has given me. Every place I talk to, I tell them what I had the privilege to experience and they are duly impressed. Many of the people at these parks tell me they probably know the people I worked with in Jackson, and I am getting quite a sense for the community of conservationists throughout this nation.

So a year later:
Do I keep up with all the people from the week-long Academy?
No. Not in any substantial way. Facebook friends who will hear me out on anything, I am sure.

Do I keep up with the people I worked alongside in the Tetons for the summer?
Yes. Excluding precious few, I keep up with them just like the other people in my life, and I would let any one of them stay in my home. A few have offered to share their home with me if fortune brings me to their town,  and this is a testament to the bond our experience created. Not just a bond, however. They are trying to help me into the park system... a stronger bond than short-term housing...
In his Republic, Plato compares the essence of Genius to a magnet pointing down from the Heavens. We never know who will be pulled by this magnet, but of one thing Plato is sure: like iron shavings, if one is pulled, it will reach out for another shaving close to it, and that one to its dearest and so on. Genius, and good will, and inspiration, can pull with that kind of limitless force.

Until I read that, I had no idea ancient Greek people knew about magnets.

Another important question: have I met new people?
Yes. Since then, I have met Evan Escamilla and conversed with Beth McCarthy and several others. I am constantly giving Betsy Moyer a thorough budget analysis of my two cents. The people are always new, but the mood is always the same. It is a good mood.

So, am I still inspired to chase a career in conservation? Do I still care?
Yes.

Will anybody ever see this?
Somehow I doubt it... but I thank my imaginary readers, as always!

LAST DAY

RIP my summer in the Tetons... RIP in photographs and memories, but stay alive in all the people who are still wandering around this world. I wish you all success and the Roman Candles which celebrate it.
There are times we are snug in, times we are gone from, times we only dreamt. They all have a feel to them that only a mind full of longing can truly feel, and I know my mind will come back to my summer in Wyoming like it returns to other dreams and words.

  A special thanks to Cecily, who kept me company during my last night and made some delicious fish. We really went out in style, and forced all the good sentiments we have picked over the summer, whortleberry-like, into one forceful jam that could not be denied. 

My Last Words

It's August 11, 2011. This day will make history. As I resort to my past time ritual of the last 12 weeks, the mountainous beauty of the terrain helps me contemplate all of the past, present and future. All thoughts lead to one thing, what is in store for myself now? The situation of uncertainty isn't a scary one, rather it's one of hope. Simply the answer is anything. One simple word, anything; anything, can happen to my path and I feel that's a great obstacle to face. From this day, the 11th day of the 8th month of 2011, I vow to live openly. Most importantly I'll live to be true to myself. I do not plan on carrying out this deed to be perfect, instead I carry this out to take the good with the bad. This uncertainty leaves a great path of how I want to facilitate my growth. I found my self worth, so now its time to ask these questions in order to continue with my legacy. These question in order to continue with my legacy. These questions shall only be answered by one entity, me. My coming experience will answer questions, end chapters, close doors but in sequence start new chapters and open more doors. Essentially I will contemplate my soul and listen to its youthful energy for answers. Is all of this actually real, when will I wake up to the epiphany? Time is far from short as well as distant from endless, let me soar above jumping from peak to peak so I can figure out this new passion.

From Mentee to Mentor!

A few weeks ago I got the chance to meet with 12 awesome students who were visiting from Chicago, Illinois. I got an e-mail from their Science teacher Nathan Dolenc who had learned about me interning here at Glacier National Park through Yosemite Park Ranger Shelton Johnson. These 12 high school seniors were from very diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and most of them had never been to a national park before. They had been raising money for this trip for a little over a year and had just raised the last bit of the $13,000 needed to come here only a week before their arrival.

I was very excited about meeting them and told Mr. Dolenc that I was looking forward to spending a day with them. Wednesday, July 27th we set out on a 4 mile round trip hike to Avalanche Lake and then once we made it to the lake the students began a mountain goat survey through Citizen Science. While they wee sitting down taking a lunch break I began discussing and sharing with them my experience here at Glacier and what it was like being one of the only minorities here. I also told them about the SCA/NPS Academy and let them know that if they were interested in a park service position that attending the upcoming NPS Academy would be an great option.

Some of the students had already decided that a career in the park service was what they wanted to do. It was so great to see the excitement on their face as they saw the diverse wildlife and beautiful mountains here at Glacier National Park. Their reactions reminded me of my first day here, when I was heading over to St. Mary and I stopped at Lake McDonald (GNP's largest lake) and I remembered thinking that I had never seen water so beautiful and so clear anywhere else.My day with the Prosser Career Academy students was by far one of my best and greatest experiences here. Sharing my experiences with them made me realize that I am now in a position where I can be a mentor to a young person.

Their teacher Mr. Dolenc is trying to make the trip to Glacier an annual one for the students at Prosser Career Academy. I think that this experience is important for kids in inner cities because it shows that their is another world outside of our concrete jungles where we live in. Trips like this will help them see that the opportunities are not just limited to whats outside our backyards or on our front stoops but their are a plethora of opportunities many miles away that should be visited and discovered.

WEEKEND JUMP NEAR DEATH CANYON

 Joseph plunges into the mighty depths.

I go in after him.

You can tell how cold the water is from my tortured expression, but it was so worth it.  I encourage all of you to do this before you leave.

It's my last weekend...

2o ft drop and not a care in the world baby, it's my last weekend. Imma do it big.

and some of my highlights were: a going away party on Friday, hose drills with E-3 on Saturday, and too many activities to list for today. I would say that my last weekend in the Tetons was well spent; it's sad to say that I'm leaving this place for some time. This weekend highlights my usual activities I do on a weekly basis, day in and day out. Honestly, this summer has been one big weekend. I'm not sure if I really worked for the last 500 plus hours I logged, it all seemed like play. As I say my farewells they are just "see you later's". I will be back, I'm determined. I won't take no for an answer, I've put myself out there and taken that leap of faith. Overall this summer has been a great experience. A few hiccups here and there but it made the experience even better! So as I leave this Friday it'll be hard not to look back, but I'll continue to look forward with my life and for next summer. Thank you to everyone who had their hands in bringing me back out to this glorious place. As I said the last day of the Spring Break Academy, "the Tetons have been my gateway to finally start with my life," and that still remains true to this day.