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Sustainability Spotlight - Ariel Mallory

Blair Begnaud -- Mon, 08/26/2024 - 8:36am

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

  • I'm majoring in Environmental Science with a concentration in Digital Geography and I hope to graduate in 2026. I currently work for Moncus Park and I plan to grow with them until we grow apart, but I really love working with them! I'm part of a few organizations: Students for Sustainability (ULL), Conservation Club (Moncus Park), and the Louisiana Wildlife Federation! When I'm not at work, school, or volunteering I'm probably playing video games, reading, gardening, roller skating, or trying my hand at baking.

What is Louisiana Wildlife Federation's Conservation Leadership Corps?

  • The Louisiana Wildlife Federation(LWF) is an organization that provides education and advocacy for the issues that impact our Louisiana landscape, our wildlife, and our communities. The LWF realizes the importance of getting a younger generation on board and they see that we have a major interest in environmental conservation. The Conservation Leadership Corps program was created in 2018 in honor of the late conservation leader Edgar Veillon. The program teaches college students the skills needed to become an effective champion of conservation issues. Participants will have the opportunity to network with leaders in state, federal and private conservation organizations and practice critical communication and teamwork skills.

What did your program's semester look like? What did you do?

  • The program consisted of four meet ups: two in person and two over Zoom. Our first meeting was at Chicot State Park where we had a hike around their Arboretum and presentations from a U.S. Forestry employee as well as an NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Services) employee. Both Zoom meetings were jam-packed full of information: testimony from previous CLC participants, discussions on ethics, presentations on issues like wind energy in the Gulf, carbon sequestration, and even advocacy via social media. Our last meeting was at the River Model in Baton Rouge where we heard from CPRA (Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority) and an environmental journalist after getting an in-depth tour and presentation.

What was your favorite part?

  • Honestly, this answer may seem a little bogus, but my favorite part was just learning in general. Being exposed to careers, issues, ideas, perspectives, just all manner of things I would not have known about if not for this experience. I did my best to take it all in while I was there.

What was the most valuable thing you learned from participating in CLC?

  • The importance of getting involved and putting myself out there. Opportunities are out there, and the work is waiting for us. Our voices matter, but only if we use them. Conservation issues impact every facet of our lives.

What would you say to anyone thinking about joining the program?

  • Absolutely do it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain, especially if you apply yourself and treat it like the big deal it is. LWF wants to invest in our younger generation, so go and learn from the people who have been entrenched in these issues for over 80 years. If you stay involved, opportunities WILL arise for you.

Do you have any else you would like to add?

  • Thank you to the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, ULL's Office of Sustainability, and Moncus Park. Go Volunteer in Your Community!

LWF's Edgar Veillon Conservation Leadership Corps 2024 Cohort