Written by Samantha Nordstrom
When I was asked to join the Student Sustainability Center officer team as the Content Officer in August of 2023, I had no idea what wonderful experiences and relationships the position would bring me. Working with previous directors Sam Moccia and Reaghan Fields and SoGes Website Content Specialist Ryan Deming, building the Green Bulletin blog from its original email newsletter has been the cornerstone of my work. I’m beyond thrilled to have created this home for student sustainability stories, and I am excited to pass this wonderful blog along to the next editor-in-chief, Raegan Synk.
Working with the SSC taught me the importance of conversation and collaboration in sustainability, and it proved to me that there are so many ways to live more sustainably and encourage others to do the same. One doesn’t have to compost daily, be Vegan, or pick up trash every weekend to make a positive difference; one simply must be willing to show up once in a while, listen, learn, and spread the word, and you’ll realize that if people work together to face this crisis, it will become easier to defeat. I’ll never forget Sunday morning clean-ups, Monday bi-weekly meetings and fireside chats, trash-to-treasure workshops, discussion panels, and all the other amazing events I’ve been able to partake in and cover. I’ve met so many incredible people at these events and walked away with a newfound appreciation for sustainability, the people it attracts, and often with a new craft or piece of clothing in the process.
I’m forever grateful to Sam Moccia and Reaghan Fields for allowing me to create this platform and to Ryan Deming for giving the Green Bulletin a web platform with SoGes. Additionally, I will forever cherish my friendships made with fellow current officers Trevor Akiyama, Bella Conrad, Raegan Synk, Sophia Richter, Matt Greves, and Sydney Stadelmann, whom I know will continue doing excellent work with the SSC. Furthermore, I would like to shoutout other projects and initiatives I’ve had the privilege of documenting, including the Patchwork Project, the Community for Climate Anxiety, the Native Plants Project, the Zero Waste Team, the ASCSU Department of Environmental Affairs, the Coalition of Sustainable Student Organizations, Fort Collins Utilities, the Sustainable Living Association, and Compost Queen.
It’s been a wonderful ride, and I am moving on with a bittersweet heart, a profound knowledge of sustainability communications, and a deep appreciation for the community we’ve created. But I hope you may find yourself empowered to get involved in living more sustainably, as I have in the past year. I know I’ll take everything I’ve learned with me as I move on to the next grand adventure, continuing to work towards inspiring others to live sustainably.
Signing off,
Samantha Nordstrom
Founder and Former Editor-In-Chief of the Green Bulletin blog
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