Finishing up

So much to do with so little time….

Last week was exhausting but exciting and rewarding to say the least.

The time and effort I put into the Columbine Hondo support book has already paid off! I have been assigned to work with Meghan Kissell, who works for Conservation Land Foundation –CLF, as their National Monuments Campaign Director.  I am organizing another support book… And yet again its time sensitive. Legislation for Brown’s Canyon lands designation is expected to be introduced December 3^rd and I am responsible for the support book that is sent to congress.

Working with Meghan from CLF has been a joy but more so a blessing. So far she has opened my mind and doors to hopeful avenues in the communications world. She has worked with the American Diabetes Association− ADA, Spitfire Strategies and now the communications director for CLF. She has introduced me to a website, Progressive Exchange which serves as a communications forum… a professionals helping professionals site with information on ad-buys, jobs, web development, etc.

I have recently applied for a job in Orlando Florida with the ADA. Meghan said she would send my resume over along with her recommendation to an old colleague from the ADA.  Since I am on the job/internship hunt I asked her for suggestions of any interesting places to work… Meghan quickly pulled websites up and somehow offered me to intern with her in January.

I don’t know what I’m going to do. My time with The Wilderness Society is ending and I don’t have a plan, I’m clueless to what’s next? I have learned a lot through The Wilderness Society, and after the four years of college I thought I was destined to do policy and lobbying… but after my internship, I know different. I am currently looking for an internship in marketing/sales and or fundraising. I like the environmental cause and non-profit work but I want to take more of a business route within it.

With that being said I have also looked into studying ABROAD! Auckland University in New Zealand, for a Masters of Management, specializing in business marketing.

I don’t know what life will bring, but I’m interested in taking the road less traveled and leaving a path for those to follow.

Columbine Hondo

The best Government in the World….

U.S. Senate committee on Energy and Natural Resources discussed senate legislation S. 776, to establish the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness in the State of New Mexico, to provide for the conveyance of certain parcels of National Forest System land in the State, and for other purposes.

This committee hearing, which was 2 hours long, is the reason I spent two weeks working on the Columbine Hondo support book. The support book was actually used in the senate meeting, referring to some facts and name dropping organizations in favor of the legislation. I am so proud of the work I have put into this campaign and will be elated if Columbine Hondo is designated with 45,000 acres of protected wilderness.

Most of the meeting was focused on other concerns but I have noted a few moments S. 776 was mentioned during the hearing. Here is a video of the meeting, click through to 00:48:00 to hear Udall, TWS leading supporter comment, as well as, 01:22:00 when Weidon mentions support of Columbine Hondo. Unfortunately, the meeting started late and I had to leave due to my night job. I cant wait to get a “big girl job” soon I hope!

VIDEO

I have learned so much about our government and the honest beauty that can come from it. I have never been so “proud to be an American.” It’s a slogan you hear often but with my time learning and working with our government I have never realized how blessed I truly am.

I look forward to the results of Columbine Hondo designation and I’ll keep you posted!

Thanks for reading.

Busy

“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” ― Beverly Sills

This quote absolutely wraps up my previous week of work at TWS.

-To begin, my fellow communications intern left TWS… leaving me with a handful of extra responsibility.

-Next, I have learned the true necessity of cc in emails AND a new appreciation for technology (explained later).

-Last tid-bit, I’m sorry for not posting last week! I can explain.

I helped put together the support book for Columbine Hondo’s debut with congress this Wednesday the 20^th! The subcommittee will be reviewing the legislation and answering questions others may have about adding Columbine Hondo to the National Wilderness Preservation System.

There is over a thousand signed letters from businesses, organizations, communities and individuals organized with this document.  As well as clips of ANY and ALL news articles/reports on the wilderness area. This was very tedious work and had to be perfect because it was being shared with CONGRESS and many other eyes. Im proud to share with you the finished product.

If it wasn’t for technology this never would have come together. The document was due Friday by 5:00 to be sent off to representatives and senators, the deadline was CRITICAL. The biggest problem was organizing the thousands of signed letters that were distributed across the COUNTRY. Being able to scan the letters and upload them to a document that we all were sharing was INCREDIBLE. An organization that is spread from Alaska to North Carolina, without technology we would be lost.

Now, my new found understanding and love for cc in emails came from everyone being able to stay on track with no horrible confusion. Even if the conversation had nothing to do you, the information was always an asset to know. The Wilderness Society is the best organizational communications team I have ever seen. I am so thankful I have had the opportunity to work with theses inspiring professionals.

I have some exciting news as well; I will be attending the congressional meeting Wednesday at the Capitol

I am so excited!

Stay tuned, Ill be back Wednesday with more information!

Work in progress

Campaigns, legislation and clips….

November 20^th is going to be a busy day for congress and The Wilderness Society. Congressional subcommittee is scheduled to discuss several public lands bills…. But there is one prevalent to TWS

• S. 776, to establish the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness in the State of New Mexico, to provide for the conveyance of certain parcels of National Forest System land in the State, and for other purposes

S. 776 is my newest project. I am working with Michael Casaus on a support book that will be given to the senate. It will include hundreds of support letters and news clips for support of Columbine Hondo.

This support document needs to be ready in time to give senators the opportunity to build a defense for our campaign.

_________________________________________________________________

Another project for me includes preparing for the 50^th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. This is a major landmark for The Wilderness Society and the opportunity for us to reflect on and promote our success.

There will be more to come soon!

Tour of the Office

Well this week has been slower than usual….

A few wildalerts, letters and clipbooks have been my week. No new legislation in congress, nothing terribly exciting across our regional offices either.

So, Im going to dedicate my blog post to showing you around the office… starting at the front door.

This is the entrance to The D.C. Wilderness Society Office. Located 1615 NW M St Washington D.C.

This is the art gallery you see immediately after entering. It is Ansel Adams ACTUAL photos. This collection is approximately several hundred-thousand dollars worth of art. It is open to the public free of charge. Please come visit!

Continuing upstairs leads to all of our office and meeting rooms. This is where the WORK is done.

Top of stairs is a small gathering/ waiting area…..

Welcome to our messy, compacted supply/storage/copy/printer room!

Break Room.

This is IT support staff Djonggi (far left) and Pat (middle). But the lady on the right is Lousie Tucker. This wonderful women is the intern coordinator. Thank you Louise for this special opportunity!

This room, we call the COVE. Better know as “where the interns work.” In order from front to back is Matthew Lichtash, Tess Richey, and Sara Skelton.

This is my desk. Where the real work gets done. (just kidding)

This is the end of my tour.

Your welcomed anytime from 9:30-5, Monday-Friday to visit Ansel Adams art work and of course ME!

Re-Organizing

Change of pace…

Now that the Government Shutdown is over, we have re-organized and now focusing on campaigns.  But before I dive into the campaigns I am working on, I want to take a moment and say, “I am SO proud of myself!” I drafted the press release that was sent to Capitol Hill which was about a nationally signed letter by 28 different organization/businesses, addressed to representative Hastings and DeFazio to end the government shutdown and reopen public lands. Of course it was edited and perfected but this is the first time I actually knew I was being helpful and producing REAL work as an intern.  Go ahead, LOOK AT IT!

As I was saying…

Currently I am putting together a “clip book” for our regional office in California. This clip book will be used in support of the San Gabriel campaign. We use clip books while lobbying. It is to keep a history of the importance and attention nationally spent on the campaign topic.  It’s refreshing to work on the San Gabriel campaign because I haven’t had the opportunity to before. My old supervisor, Emily had me working specifically on Birthplace of Rivers and H.R. 1526. I have learned so much about the terrain and beauty of California’s wilderness. Now, I believe I am due for a visit to California.

The major re-organizing is with my new supervisor, Neil Shader. He works primarily on energy issues focusing on oil and gas drilling (this is a whole new world to me).   It has been so far so good, just a ton of learning on my behalf.  The other re-organizing part is the campaigns Emily managed are now partly assigned as my responsibility (sharing with the other comm intern). I am on weekly calls where I participate with suggestions and I am producing small write-ups as needed.

The changes and re-organizing has helped me to enjoy my internship a bit more than usual. I love the new responsibility; I feel a part of The Wilderness Society now, just the new kid in training.

Structure

I work in TWS headquarters….

The last post, I updated you on the governmental shutdown and what I was doing in DC but I did not however logically explain how it has affected The Wilderness Society as a whole.

TWS’s main location is in Washington D.C. (where I work) but there are 12 regional offices across the United States. Each of these offices supports campaigns to designate lands in their location. They also cover and work on boarding states land campaigns.

View Offices: http://wilderness.org/article/regional-offices

The government shutdown has given my office far more to work on. There is an endless communication to-do list and media exploding every minute of every day. On the other hand, our regional offices have been kicked out of the wild places they’ve worked so hard to protect.

Regional offices work to designate lands to become national monuments, parks and wilderness areas. Our regional offices are participating in community activities, building constituents who favor the beautiful land areas and our campaigns. In return, when legislation is current in congress these regional office have built relationships with American citizens who begin pushing their representatives/senators or president to designate the land they have grown to love.

This shutdown has stopped all activities in our public lands. But it has not stopped building constituents and support. More media coverage and awareness has circulated through the governmental shutdown. It has shown millions the impact our public lands have on our economy, image and life fulfillment.

Enjoy America’s land while you still can!

Shutdown

Forget policy, focus on the people…

As I hope you are all aware, the US Government is shutdown. This has caused TWS to change its message as well as methods. Let me explain.
Over the last month I have talked about tasks completed to support legislation through congress that promotes conservation and designation of wilderness areas. Instead with the shutdown, the weeks have been spent researching and communicating with media to reveal the impacts wilderness has on our own nation and citizens.

View these stories of turmoil and hindrances America has faced without its precious wilderness:
– http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/10/02/partial-shutdown-complicates-search-for-missing-idaho-hiker/
– http://wildliferesearchnews.wordpress.com/2013/10/01/us-fish-and-wildlife-service-govt-shutdown-news/
– http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2013/oct/04/tourists-turned-away-vacations-ruined-and-businesses-suffer-after-government-shutdown/

This past week we produced several press releases, Op-ed, LTEs and WILDALERTS. Each focused on a target audience. To be honest, it has been very confusing at times and I noticed the necessity of networking. There has been more communication between organizations and news outlets then I ever thought possible. My boss was contacted personally to produce an op-ed for Politix. Knowing the ins-n-out and the right people is essential in the career of communications.

View work produced by TWS:
Politix.Topix
TWS Blog 
TWS Secure Wilderness 

This is a terrible time for our country and wilderness but it has also help spark the importance of nature into the eyes of millions.
But enough is enough! It’s time to explore and enjoy the sacred beauty of American lands.
You are capable of change, so do it! Tell your representatives to end the shutdown!

CSR

A day spent out of the office…

The Wilderness Society is categorized as a non-profit and often seen as a tree-hugging organization. But my experience in the DC office has been nothing but a professional, corporate, business like atmosphere. It’s the 9-5, computer-using, phone call making, meeting after meeting kind of job. This office often misses the lands they have worked so hard to protect.

Friday, September 27^th, TWS spent the day removing invasive English Ivy from Rock Creek Park in the DC area. It was public lands day and our corporate social responsibility (CSR) to participate. The park is ABSOLUTLEY beautiful.  View Rock Creek Park website http://www.nps.gov/rocr/index.htm

Participating with TWS on public lands day was awesome. I learned not only about invasive species but the bond TWS has with their community and one another. My PR classes in college explained the meaning of corporate social responsibility and the importance it veils for your business but I never knew the joy and morale it can build among employees. A day in the fresh air, giving back to their communities was a great change of pace for the DC office. We got to see each other out of business suits and fluorescent lighting and instead in jeans and sunlight.

Participating in public lands day or any CSR event gives the communications department some work to do. For this event we produced a press release as well as statement on our website.

View our statement http://wilderness.org/press-release/conservation-organizations-partner-dc-service-project-celebrate-national-public-lands

Experience Gained

Previously I mentioned elaborating on legislation…

H.R. 1526 – Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act is what our team at The Wilderness Society (TWS) has recently been working on.  This legislation will allow logging in America’s national forests and be devastating to the purpose and hard work of TWS.

Review legislation http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th/house-bill/1526

My duties changed immediately and this is what my week was like.

I came into the office expecting to finish some letters to the editor (LTE). Nope, not today!  Emily my direct supervisor came to me and said “Drop whatever you’re working on and listen up!” She passionately informed me of the hazards this legislation was embarking on our organization and what I needed to start working on.

The first plan of action was to inform our TWS members. The channel we use to communicate with members is often through “Wild Alerts” – A Wild Alert is a summary of vital information with a “call to action” which tells our members what they can do to help.

Review Wild Alert http://wilderness.org/blog/breaking-house-vote-bill-would-seriously-undermine-forest-protections

Next, we worked to release a statement. The statement is used to announce our position on legislation, events, etc. In this situation, to emphasize importance we used TWS president Jamie Williams as the author and tone of our statement.

Review statement produced http://wilderness.org/press-release/wilderness-society-condemns-bill-would-permit-lawless-logging

I helped put together media contact lists through a source called Vocus. Vocus is an information database with thousands of journalists and media outlets. With refined searching you can find the perfect communication channel and writer for ANY task desired. Through Vocus, I found news outlets in specific places in America that would be most affected and whose representatives may be in favor of H.R. 1526. A press release was sent to these outlets to build more constituents against the bill.

Unfortunately, H.R. 1526 passed in the House. The Senate is next. We are working to prevent the possible devastation this bill will have on America’s forest.

Tell Congress not to destroy America’s forests!

Find your representatives http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm\