If I asked you what Environmentalism meant to you, your mind would probably go straight to the thousands of clips you’ve seen on social media talking about limiting the effects of Climate Change. You may even think of phrases like “Global Warming” or “Fossil Fuels.” While these terms are crucial to bringing attention to the global climate crisis and understanding how climate change works, they underline a crucial flaw in the movement. Because the movement is associated with these big overarching ideas, it leads many to feel confused when trying to find their role within it. Many end up believing that to stop the global climate crisis, big gestures are needed, and doing small actions won’t actually make a big impact. It’s this perceived complexity that becomes a barrier and discourages people from taking meaningful action

I am someone who suffers from this. I care deeply about the environment and believe that Climate Change is one of, if not the most important, issues of my generation. Yet I am unsure of how to engage in a way that feels genuinely meaningful. It wasn’t until I volunteered for the  Evanston Lumberjacks & Lumberjills that I really began to not only see what environmentalism is truly about but also my role in this growing movement. 

Evanston Lumberjacks & Lumberjills allowed me to see the environment in a way that I had never seen before. I got right into the thick of it, got my hands dirty, and, for the first time, felt responsible for the wildlife around me. 

“When you are out there in the woods, it’s like your mind slows down, and you don’t worry about your regular day-to-day stuff. It’s almost like a runner’s high that you get when you’re out volunteering, and part of this is being closer to nature,” Ross McLean, a recurring volunteer, stated.

Now, what does this mean for the environmentalism movement as a whole? Well, it proves that environmentalism doesn’t have to be these over-the-top actions. Instead, it can be finding ways in your community to care for nature. 

“We live in a world where we know we’ve got all sorts of environmental problems, but we often ask ourselves what we can do as individuals? There are very few things you can do that directly make the environment a little better tomorrow and for your community. And this is one where we got out there, we cut down buckthorn trees and invasive species, we replanted oaks, wild grasses, and wildflowers,” said Mclean.

While these actions may seem small, they end up adding up over time. We live in an ecosystem that is interconnected, and what may seem like a small action has a bigger effect than perceived. Mclean says, “Every acre that we get is really beneficial, not just for the community but also for pollinators and bees that are under a lot of stress. It’s very beneficial for them to have a bunch of native wildflowers instead of a bunch of buckthorn. Everything you are doing is making habitats for bees and creating places for monarch butterflies that are flying down to Central America. By going out and volunteering, you are directly touching that process.” 

This organization sets an example that everyone should follow. They represent what environmentalism in a community should look like and how everybody can get involved. By setting aside 2 hours of your day, you not only make your community healthier, but you also make the lives of a diverse range of animals easier.  

That said, I’m not trying to say that there doesn’t need to be a bigger change within the industry and the government. However, when I am out there, cutting down invasive species and shoveling wood chips, the environment stops being a complicated idea and becomes something much more personal. I went from someone who just supported climate activism to feeling a responsibility for nature. This shift in mindset is important because nature is the foundation of the environmental movement, and finding ways to make a positive impact is an area this generation needs to improve. By taking action within nature, this movement will take the next step forward.