Our EcoGenius: Tiffany Carey, engaging young people in solutions-based citizen science projects.
“My vision of elevating the voices of youth and communities has given me an avenue to speak my truth”. Tiffany Carey
Tifanny Carey . Photo www.broweryouthawards.org
Tiffany Carey of Detroit, Michigan, USA, is a young eco-innovator to watch for two important reasons: she has a strong desire to protect the environment, and a unique ability to encourage other young people to get involved.
She said: “Unlike many of my peers and colleagues in the ecology field who were enamored with nature because of childhood experiences going to hiking and camping, I was drawn to the environment and its beauty through my passion to make my community a better place”.
Tiffany on her research
This curiosity led her to pursue ecological research as an undergraduate at the University of Michigan. There, she created and implemented a 4-year citizen science research project to investigate factors associated with the production of allergenic pollen, common ragweed (ambrosia artemisiifolia), around Detroit’s vacant lot regimes.
Over the course of the three-year study period, Carey and her team of ninth- and 10th-grade biology students placed homemade pollen collectors in vacant lots, parks, and other areas in the community to measure the levels of ragweed pollen, which is notorious for causing allergic reactions. The team determined that these vacant lots were large sources of ragweed and a big contributor to allergy and asthma issues in urban kids.
They developed a plan to promote mowing and urban reforestation in these areas in order to minimize ragweed. Carey took her project one step further, evaluating the effect that participating in this project had on her young recruits. She found that many of the kids went on to study science and remain involved in ecological issues.
2019 Detroit Leadership Environmental Education Program students connect with nature in their local community. Photo Antonio Cosme
She goes on to explain, “My experiences in research and community organizing in Baltimore and Detroit opened the door for me to pursue a career that incorporates urban ecology, education and community engagement. I believe that combining these fields not only creates a means for important interdisciplinary conversations, but also an avenue for long-term management solutions”.
She is the Habitat and Education Coordinator at the National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Regional Center, she coordinates and implements local and regional K-12 and habitat projects. Their goal is to provide opportunities for youth to gain an appreciation and understanding for the natural world and interconnectedness of all life.
Tiffany Carey. Photo Linkedin
Outside of work, Tiffany was recently named one of NAAEE’s 30 under 30 for her work conducting place-based “greening” projects with youth and communities in Baltimore and Detroit, is also a member of the Ecological Society of America (ESA) and serves on the Inclusive Ecology Board of Directors and the Advisory Board for ESA’s Strategies for Ecology, Education, Diversity and Sustainability(link is external) (SEEDS) program. She also is an active alumna for the Brower Youth Award and Earth Stewardship Initiative communities, and continue to organize for the UM-Detroit Bioblitz.
What inspired you to become a promoter of the environment and environmental education?
“Given my diverse experiences working in academic research, K-12 classrooms, and grassroots organizations, I began to gravitate towards developing skills that would best facilitate and incorporate equitable dialogues across disciplines.
As a “Detroiter,” I have been directly affected by City projects that are not always implemented as intended. City projects often fail to live up to their lofty goals to increase community efficacy, connectivity and resilience, which leads to gaps between promises and reality. These missing components to promote equitable and inclusive dialogue, and effective project management, have propelled me into a life of science and activism. I’ve gained skills and strategies to build trust and establish a comprehensive approach to revitalizing green spaces that truly serve community needs”.
2019 Detroit Leadership Environmental Education Program students connect with nature in their local community. Photo: Antonio Cosme
During her time in Baltimore, Maryland, she served as a Growing Green Initiative Community Organizer. She worked with residents, organizations, developers, and city agencies to determine best possible re-use for “vacant lots” across the city. She got to work with dozens of individuals who wanted to change their neighborhood land parcels to be usable and viable green spaces, helping them achieve their vision by having a transparent dialogue that connected science to grassroots change through greening strategies (e.g. mowing, rain gardens, growing food).
«Across this scale, I was able to see science in action. Science can be observed, used, and translated in ways to connect with people. It is also a tool that can address local issues and amplify community voices who want to do meaningful work driven by their own traditional knowledge», said Tiffany.
Tiffany in her speech when she won the award.
What advice would she give to the next generation of leaders that are looking to bring about positive change in their communities through EE?
Our EcoGenius answers: “Community work is challenging, but the stories and life-changing moments are worth the time and investment! My spark for research, community activism, and environmental justice has led me to pursue a career that aims to connect all people to nature. Additionally, I use my platform of self-love, healing, and passion to help create equitable green spaces in the communities I serve. I hope that these spaces will reenergize the hope and power of the people who have the right to enjoy the beauty of our natural landscapes”.
Tiffany love the nature
Contact Tiffany:
Source: https://naaee.org/
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