I graduated in the Fall of 2022 with a B.A. in Sustainability and a minor in Natural Resources and Environmental Economics from the University of Tennessee. After graduation, I completed an 11-month AmeriCorps service term with the CAC AmeriCorps program in Knoxville, serving at the City of Knoxville’s Waste and Resources Management Office within the Public Service Department. This small but passionate team, consisting of two full-time employees and one AmeriCorps member, manages the city’s entire waste stream, including landfilled trash, recyclables, household hazardous waste, brush and leaf collection, and compostables. As the AmeriCorps member, my responsibilities focused on managing and furthering educational efforts regarding the city’s recycling and compost programs. There are too many highlights from my service to share, but I particularly enjoyed supporting the city’s compost program. This initiative established food scrap drop-off locations, provided compost bins to community gardens and schools, and offered backyard composting workshops to residents. I also got the opportunity to build partnerships with local organizations and community groups through numerous community cleanups and recycling events. My time as an AmeriCorps member is something I will always cherish, and I would highly recommend to anyone looking to make a positive impact in their community. The City’s Waste and Resources Management Office is now looking for a full-time staff member to expand these efforts and then some. Please reach out if you have any questions regarding this position or my experience!

This month I’m excited to begin a new position as a Sustainability Analyst with the City’s Sustainability Office. My work will primarily involve data-driven projects like preparing annual emissions inventories, modeling emissions reductions, and analyzing standalone sustainability projects. A major focus for the coming year is the development of East Tennessee’s first climate action plan. The Sustainability Office will lead this initiative, collaborating with community experts from eight counties to build on existing progress, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create more resilient cities and towns!