As my time with the Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change (OECC) comes to an end, and I reflect on the past eight months, I feel immense gratitude, not only for the amazing professional experience, but also for the individuals and the projects I have had the honor to contribute to in a small way. It has been an honor and a joy to be a part of this small but mighty team, dedicated to climate action and serving the Dane County community.
From the beginning, I was inspired by the thoughtful, proactive, and interdisciplinary approach that the OECC takes in taking climate action, which focuses on leading by example, celebrating successes across the county, prioritizing equity, and fostering collaboration between departments and among community organizations and businesses. One particularly memorable experience I was lucky to participate in was the Charting the Path to Our Climate Action Vision event in October. This gathering brought together stakeholders from across Dane County to identify strategies and actions to meet the 2030 goals of the Climate Action Plan, which were designed and set as a community in 2020. It was inspiring to see so many people from diverse sectors, representing all kinds of organizations, meet and come together with shared interest and commitment to reducing countywide emissions.
Over the course of my time with OECC, I had the chance to work on a wide variety of projects, each one deepening my appreciation for the collaborative and solution-oriented nature of this work. From getting to help with tree plantings at local area schools with the Urban Tree Alliance, working to highlight events and the work of OECC and community partners in the monthly newsletter, to designing flyers, resources, and social media posts, there was no shortage of opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute.
To me, one of the most meaningful parts of my time with OECC has been the opportunity to build connections with community members, organizations, and local businesses. From interviewing and writing success stories, helping out with the Climate Champions program, or participating at events such as the Middleton Earth Day Everyday Sustainability Fair and Electric Vehicle Show, the Sustain Dane Summit, or the Midwest Climate Collaborative conference, I met so many wonderful people who are working to make a difference in Dane County and beyond. While helping to update the website and create new resources, I had the opportunity to broaden my knowledge and learn so much on topics including home electrification, waste reduction, and federal, state, and local programs.
Being able to apply what I was learning through my coursework at UW Madison to the work that we were doing made this time even more rewarding and valuable. From data analysis, research, communications, or web design, I appreciated the opportunity for real-world application of the theories and concepts I was learning.
I have found that I frequently use the word “resilient” when talking about conservation and climate change. OECC truly exemplifies resiliency and leadership with the work they do each and every day, not only in responding to the challenges of climate change, but in pushing forward with hope, determination, innovation, and deep care for and commitment to the community.
I am so very grateful to Mel, Kathy, Valora, Eneida, and Nicole, the OECC team who have made my time here and the work especially meaningful. Not only are they incredibly knowledgeable and talented people, but they are also genuinely committed to making a difference. I’m grateful for the opportunity and excited to continue working towards contributing to climate solutions in my future career.
Justine is recently graduated with her Master’s degree in Environmental Conservation at the University of Wisconsin Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Conservation. Before beginning her Master’s program, Justine worked as the Education Coordinator with the Sauk County Land Resources and Environment Department. Justine is passionate about community engagement, climate change, and all things conservation.
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