When it comes to searching for an inspiring example of resilience, kindness, and regeneration within a community, aspen groves are the best places to look. It’s not that they’re the toughest trees, or even at times the prettiest, but they are the most admirable example of how to treat one another and look out for each other. Each aspen grove is connected through mycorrhizal networks, which consist of little white threads branching out throughout the soil, passing along nutrients and communications. If one tree faces disease or disruption, the other trees will work to supply more nutrients and resources to that tree until it is better again. When it comes to people, we can (and should!) do the same thing. Our individual goals tend to be reached more quickly when operating through collaborative efforts, each of us helping one another and giving back to our communities. Let us practice uplifting one another in our life and in our work. This is one of many reasons why Yampa Valley Sustainability Council thrives in its endeavors and projects — because everybody works together, collaborates on ideas, and engages with others in its community. By engaging further with your community, you can create valuable connections that may lead to wonderful opportunities.
It is through community connections that we may find the greatest success. You never know what another person may be going through, so extending kindness (just like an aspen tree) is critical in uplifting one another and empowering each other to blossom and flourish. In the world of sustainability, these connections are critical, as they allow us to further our own progress, find answers, work more efficiently, and, perhaps most notably, remain passionate about the work that we do.
YVSC intern Willa Owens, left, stands with her mentor Abby Vander Graaff at the Earth Fest event at Colorado Mountain College April 17, 2025. Willa planned the Earth Fest event as her internship project with YVSC.
As an example, YVSC hires interns throughout each season, connecting with young, passionate people who are dedicated to the mission. These internships allow for so many opportunities to learn and grow and progress forward on each of our own paths. Through engaging projects and collaboration with staff and partners, each intern learns basic principles of advocating for sustainability. For my project I focused on communication, which is so important in the environmental world that it has been given the title of climate communication. Without proper climate communication, we are looking at a world with no backup plans, no alternatives, and no education on what is happening with our Earth. This critical communication allows others to have their own voice of advocacy, as they are empowered with the necessary knowledge to make the best decisions.
We can make these big tasks seem less intimidating by taking them one step at a time. Write out goals and priorities can help you determine your motivations or aspirations. Take hold of that passion and put it toward creation and development, allowing yourself to build confidence in communicating with others. You can develop your climate communications skills by practicing talking with friends and family or in school and work, and by stepping out of your traditional comfort zone and actually engaging with others. When we are communicating with people, it is only making us stronger.
Colorado Mountain College Beekeeping Club member Mackenzie Dotson speaks with an event attendee at Earth Fest at CMC April 17, 2025.
Another way to enhance your community connection is by attending local speaking events and activities, such as the Earth Fest event I hosted on April 17 at Colorado Mountain College. To plan this event, I formed partnerships with 14 organizations, businesses, and individuals to host tables at the event and/or sponsor it by donating raffle prizes. This celebration brought together community members from all over who put forth sustainability principles into their work and practices. We had over 45 people attend the event, and everyone had a blast. It is my hope that this event has inspired others to take on sustainable practices and realize that while it may seem too large and intimidating, there are so many different ways to help protect our planet and support the environment.
Our town has many different amazing nonprofits, so reaching out to them and spending some hours volunteering can greatly enhance real-life connections as well. Many organizations within our town are actively searching for volunteers. For example, YVSC will be hosting their annual ReTree event in the fall, where they coordinate with many different volunteers to plant trees in various areas. You can also join their Yampa Valley Climate Crew group to be a part of different volunteer projects throughout the summer. Another way that you could increase your own understanding of what is going on across communities is by signing up for the YVSC Newsletter. YVSC is diligent about spreading communications and alerting for upcoming events or speakers that are open to the public. Try attending one of them — then watch your connections grow! You can also sign up for YVSC’s Next Generation Newsletter, which shares information created by young people, for young people on how to take climate action. Another great resource to look to is the “Happenings” section in the Steamboat Pilot, where many different communal activities and clubs are listed, such as knitting, creative writing, and even grief support.
Strength within a community can be found not just in aspen trees, but in ecological systems as a whole. All natural systems must interact with one another in some way to continue their performance. It is arguably the strongest and most regenerative systems that consist of biodiversity and include a variety of different living beings, rather than homogenous ones where the same roles and opinions are carried out by all. YVSC itself has a very diverse community, one that is dedicated to integrating sustainability within the Yampa Valley through positive climate actions and education. In this way, the nonprofit is better able to reach more people and places, offering a wider range of services and partnerships. In the same way, you too can get involved with groups like this and see the impacts in your own life. This community driven work reflects that of the patterns and relations found within natural ecosystems — where we ultimately all connect back to in the end.
Willa Owens | 6 May 2025
