Hello my name is Ashley. I am the new Community Manager @ Public Lab. I've spent the past 10+ days onboarding: reading about your projects, curiousities + calls for support, and the last decade of Community Science through a range of media shared on this website.

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I've been reflecting a lot about the many pathways to justice and how these relate to our own collective wellness + the natural world in a climate changing world. How are youth and families learning about these topics: advocacy, community environmental monitoring, and just transitions?

I don't know if I ever stop thinking about these intersections. I'm always finding ways to ground my community organizing in cultures, health & wellbeing, and climate resilience. Lately I have been struggling to find words to encapsulate this moment in time. As I come to the greater Public Lab community in this new staff role and as a #newcomer, I'm also entering my fourth month during global pandemic. I have had a heavy heart as I see the continuation of a long list of hyperlocal-to-global concerns: oil spills, deforestation, increased food insecurities, spikes in illegal fishing, lack of access to clean and fresh water, communities falling ill and publicized murder. Plus the disinvestment in grassroots-led initiatives across conservation, climate, and education...

Though despite the weight of it all, I am also feeling moved. I am seeing communities come together like never before (in my lifetime) and mobilize to support one another, especially on their journeys to justice. And I am feeling ignited by Public Lab's Stategic Plan 2020-2022 and how I will be able to amplify this work with the team at the start of this new decade.

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How do we hold one another accountable to these environmental injustices that are on-going in our/nearby communities during COVID-19? What is the condition or outcome that our/these communities are envisioning, and what are the associated actions? How do my actions contribute to the greater Climate Justice movement?

I am still processing...

And I am looking forward to experiencing more of the collaborative processes Public Lab is known for at a future Barnraising (virtual or IRL!) and learning along side you in this ever-growing community.

Let me know what is moving you right now around Environmental Justice and Climate Justice. I look forward to connecting with you!

Photo credit: @AVANTI CHAJED The Center for the Professional Education of Teachers (CPET) at Teachers College at Columbia University; Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies #csp