Personal Narrative: My Impact On The Environment

I’m one of those people. The kind who notices every piece of litter along the roadside, who cringes at the sight of stores lit up after close, rescues recyclables from trashcans, and silently judges anyone who drinks bottled water, who can only look at nature photography in small doses because the earth is so beautiful I could literally cry! You know, that kind. Frankly, I could be far worse. I try to rein in my rampant environmentalism to tolerable levels. Yet, the thought of my impact on the environment, and that of those around me, is never far from my mind. In my defense, I was raised by avid outdoorsmen and environmentalist parents. They grew up in a time when being outside was basically the only entertainment afforded to children, and saw no reason I should feel differently. I was indoctrinated from birth to deeply appreciate nature, to compost, garden, recycle, “leave no trace”, “Why are there so many lights on?!”, “Leave some water for the fish!”, “If you’re cold, get a blanket!”. I never stood a chance. My overt environmentalist ways fizzled out a bit in my teen …show more content…
My time in the outdoors helped shape the person I am today, and I find the best aspects of myself have been cultivated by those experiences. This was never more evident than during my time with the Conservation Corps. My tenacity was repeatedly put to the test during work trips, spending 10 hour days out in the field, only to return to a meal cooked outside and a hard tent floor at night. My physical and mental strength pushed to the limit while working in 110º heat. My capacity to adapt tested by each new location and project. My thirst for knowledge quenched by the wisdom of each new project host. While my amiable disposition and ability to enjoy the company of others was renewed around many campfires, and weeks without cell service or Internet. Little else has made me feel more humble than the awareness of being alone in