Ii’Jeana James, our Youth Educator, is a former Green Teamer who’s come full circle and now spends much of her time with the new generation of youth on the Green Team. Jeana’s passion for youth development and environmental issues, as well as the spirit of kindness and positivity she brings to any space she occupies, makes her a vital part of our team. In April, Jeana was invited to Washington, D.C. to advocate for our causes. Jeana writes of her experience at the Capitol, here:
Washington D.C was a movie. The trip started off with a behind the scenes guided tour of Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park with National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) Mid-Atlantic Staff and park rangers. We were shown a piece of canal restoration construction on the part of the canal called the Towpath. This part of the canal was named this because of the cargo of mules that were hauled along the waterway. The last part of the tour consisted of a short hike on the Billy Goat Trail. The ranger biologists and ecologist introduced the Buttercup Scorpionweed plant, a species sensitive to extinction. The park puts in a consistent effort to preserve this and other plant species of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. Support for both of these projects were funded by the Great American Outdoors Act and Inflation Reduction Act.
Next, there was luncheon and panel discussion with National Park Service Director, Next Generation Advisory Council, and other influential people with the topic of the sacredness and healing of parks and how their journeys led them to National Parks and/or environmental work. I attended the cocktail buffet reception that followed and enjoyed tiramisu overlooking the White House in the warm night air.
Day on the Hill was an experience for sure! I had the opportunity to shadow the amazing John Valinch of Groundwork USA and Kristen Sykes of the NPCA, lobbying Massachusetts politicians and sharing my experience as a former Green Team youth and now Youth Educator. I spoke of the importance of our national parks, not only for preserving culture and history, but also for the opportunity of learning and development they offer to the human experience. Lobbying is very fast paced— you have about fifteen minutes to share your information with the congress member or staff person, and then they are off to attend to their other duties. I got the chance to speak with Legislative Director Donald Pollard who works alongside Virginia Congresswoman Jenn McClellan. As a constituent, it was awesome to share excitement about Groundwork RVA’s projects in the area such as our Mini Farm in Hillside Court.
After Lobby Day was complete, I attended the 42nd Annual Salute to the Parks Awards Dinner at the National Building Museum. The National Parks Conservation Association honored Sara Capen of the Alliance of National Heritage Areas, Juan D. Martinez Pineda of the Forum for Community Solutions at the Aspen Institute, and Senator Debbie Stabenow. It was a beautiful and momentous occasion to break bread and share stories in the space of diligence and love for the outdoors.
