Guest Blogger: Andree' Walker-Bravo

USU Extension Sustainability is all about helping everyday people live more healthy, happy and sustainable lives. This is the fifteenth of a series of posts that will feature real people who are making real changes in their lives to be more sustainable.

This month we are featuring Andree’ Walker-Bravo. Read on to learn about her position with USU extension, her work with Salt Lake County and her views on how sustainability plays an important role in our lives.

1. Please tell us a little about your position(s) with USU extension, what do your duties include?
My new job with USU Extension is as the Urban Director in Salt Lake County. My position is the first of its kind in Utah and allows for USU Extension in Salt Lake County to have a full time, dedicated Director (in other counties, the Director position is only 20% of someone’s time - - they also have to do their regular program duties, which is a lot!). I work closely with County Government, USU Extension on Campus, and Wasatch Front Extension County offices to ensure USU Extension is relevant to the urban audience and meeting the needs of our constituents and partners.

2. What projects/endeavors with extension are you particularly excited about?
One project that I have been tasked with and am really excited about is the Wasatch Front Urban Initiative. This initiative works to bring together the counties along the Wasatch front for a larger collective impact. We are working on shared promotional measures, shared evaluation techniques, and more. Our ultimate goal is to reduce duplication, work smarter, and again, better serve the urban audience.

3. If funding was not an issue, what would you do to improve the lives of Salt Lake County residents?
Oh wow, this is a big one. What wouldn’t I do??? I would love to see more people utilizing the USU Extension resources. I would love to see more kids participating in the 4-H programming. I would love to see our programs have the capacity (more people!) to reach out serve more audiences. Thinking back to my previous role at the Utah Society for Environmental Education, I would love for everyone to have the opportunity for meaningful outdoor experiences. I know these are all big and involved wishes, but I think it all boils down to providing the resources and capacity for the amazing projects out there to be able to do their thing - - to have a positive impact on the community.

4. What did you enjoy about your experience directing the Utah Society for Environmental Education?
This one is easy. I loved the people. Imagine getting to spend 8 years with the most dedicated, passionate, friendly, selfless, and fun people in a community. That is what I was fortunate enough to do! Also, from a professional standpoint, I loved the challenge. Everyday provided something new to think about and learn and I was able to dabble in almost everything!

5. What is the most important thing you have learned while working to educate others about the environment?
The most important thing I have learned is that you have to really understand a person’s values and needs before trying to share your information or trying to change their behaviors. We are all in different places in life and all trying to do the best we can. Approaching environmental education with a compassionate attitude and helping people recognize THEIR connection to an issue will allow for success. Asking a family to change out their lightbulbs when they may be struggling to feed their children is not helpful and will not be received well. However, talking about money savings and buying in bulk (and the impact on the environment) may be a better approach.

6. What is the most rewarding thing about your line of work?
The most rewarding thing about the work that I have been fortunate enough to do is that it DOES HAVE A MEANINGFUL IMPACT on our community. I love hearing feedback from events and workshops where we are truly changing people’s lives – even if it is just one life at a time.

7. Why is living sustainably important to you personally?
Another easy question! These are the following things that are important to me, and therefore living sustainably is important as well…. My own experiences in nature, How I am “recharged” after spending time in nature, My family, My children, My friends, My health, My landscape and my view out my window, My hobbies, My favorite places …I could go on and on, but you probably get the point. Living sustainably has an effect on everything in our lives. I am who I am because of my environmental and outdoors experiences and everything listed above. I want that for my family and my children. As such, I live sustainably. I also feel that being able to live sustainably means that you have likely developed some pretty cool skills that you can use in your life and share with others (canning, gardening, alternative transportation, etc). That is important to me too!