Another way I am successfully pursuing the environmental issues is through my position with Green Iowa AmeriCorps. This began as a 6-month position as the Project Support Coordinator for the Energy & Community track of Green Iowa AmeriCorps in Dubuque. My office was located in downtown Dubuque in the Operation New View office. It was an experience I thought would turn out a lot differently but I still do not regret anything about it. I met a lot of amazing people and learned a lot about everything great happening in Dubuque as far as helping the environment. I would have never imagined that Dubuque is considered the most sustainable city in Iowa and all of the green goals they're shooting for. In this 6-month role, I completed energy audits and weatherizations in homes to directly impact the community in a positive way. We would help get their home more energy efficient and reduce the energy bills, while also reducing the carbon emissions of the home. I also was able to count volunteering in the community towards my hours and this was probably my favorite part. I greatly enjoyed helping in the different urban gardens during the summer months, along with helping plant trees in different areas. I can't get over how many amazing opportunities there are in Dubuque and the visions that are actually being sought through.

I am now completing an 11-month term with the Sustainable Schools track of Green Iowa AmeriCorps. I am the Energy Efficiency Coordinator and work directly with the schools to make them more green and sustainable in any way they wish. A lot of them have green efforts started but I am here to follow through with them and lessen the load on the staff. I have enjoyed this position so far and have enjoyed having the solid waste agency education coordinator as my supervisor. She has given me a lot of resources and kept my team member and I on track. I will be sure to keep you updated on my future adventures with Sustainable Schools!

I began working as the Communications Specialist for the Clayton County Energy District (Iowa) in March of 2019. This was sort of a stumbled upon opportunity as I knew I wanted to stop my career at Upper Iowa University as the Coordinator of Retail Services and pursue something that would positively effect the environment. I happened to message Joleen Jansen to ask if there were any opportunities with the District. She happened to be needing someone right in that moment and it almost worked out too smoothly.

Not only did Joleen offer me a part time job as a communications specialist the first time we talked on Zoom, but she also let me know she would positively refer me to the Green Iowa AmeriCorps program I had recently applied for. Two positive environmental activism opportunities were thrown at me at once, I knew it was time for a transition in my life!

Since beginning, I have gained a ton of experience in many areas; energy efficiency, marketing, press releases, graphic work, Word Press, writing articles, events, and much more. I have been writing articles, mostly summarizing or marketing events and initiatives for the Clayton County Energy District. These articles are then posted on the CCED website and social media pages. Through participating in the different events and initiatives and writing about them, I have learned a lot about different clean energy efficiency techniques such as lighting, solar, battery storage, etc.

I have been able to network with many people who can lead me in the direction I am pursuing and I can't wait to see where this position and experience happens to lead me! This has been an almost full circle opportunity in many ways.