Isabella Ramirez

So far in the weeks that i have been participating, I have volunteered for two hours or more every week, by volunteering with Reclaimit! or portland parks and recreation. 

To anyone who has free time this SATURDAY, 10/12!! Don’t have plans? Well guess what it’s Arbor Day, so hug a tree, appreciate your natural environment, or maybe come with me to plant some trees!!! Starts @ 10, lmk if you need a ride, but if anyone is interested I would love to get to know people in my community!

As of 10/11 I went to PCC Cascade, to participate with other volunteers at the learning garden! I got to meet some new people, and even made conversation about environmental issues today, and tried to brainstorm some solutions on how i can act progressively with instructors. There was talk of even starting a club, so as long as we have enough members, we can focus on learning about indigenous and native agricultural practices and how to forage within our own communities with organic garden as what ties our club together! Had a fun day and really enjoyed connecting with people, networking, and serving people and my city!

Evening, y’all! Hope today has been good, reviewing and trying to get assignments in on time! As I was coming home from class, I noticed the bus was going to take longer than usual, and me being a type of person that doesn’t wait for the fruit to fall, decided that I would rather just walk. It still took the same amount of time to get home if I had waited for the bus, in hindsight. While I was on my walk through a beautiful residential area that burnside street cut through, I noticed a large amount of trash scattered around the grass. Being I had time I started picking it up, from Starbucks and Dairy Queen cups to Taco Bell boxes, sanitation wipes, cigarettes, and much more to pieces of appliances, clothes, and tables as I continued. It’s sad to see this is common, and that for the most part the contents themselves shows the impression that fast food and disposable products leave on people. That for the most part they lose the idea that these things are low cost means they are of low value, it can be picked up quick and disposed quick. Because they don’t think of the consequences of what they’re consuming, using, and putting into their bodies, many people don’t care to consider the consequences of throwing it out with negligence, because they won’t expect to stay long enough in that area or in the world to see what happens to it or how it impacts the environment. I can say for sure, those plastics and boxes weren’t going anywhere, nor had they decomposed. People in their cars and in the world are too caught up in getting to the destination, than enjoying the ride for what it is. Somewhat taking from a quote that I will find later but it derives meaning from philosophy and the psychology of people today, who have mental health issues, anxiety, attention issues etc. etc. People can’t live in the moment living on a constant feed that leaves their consciousness reeling and can’t stand life for what it is and kill themselves looking for that ultimate high, because they’ve been been raised in a boxed-perception and world-view where all they know is lows. Love yourself and the world for what it is, and the capacities that can be carried within that. The world is finite, but the ways that anti-Malthusiasts consider that humans are the greatest resource because of the ability to find solutions, so where are we now, and how can we solve this dilemma?

Made sure to dig up all of my old environmental science notes and starting my studying for the week so I don't fall behind. Earlier I watched a documentary regarding food sovereignty in Europe, called the Nyeleni food sovereignty movement. As it did teach me about the conditions of peasants and small scale rural farmers, I would like to learn more about the issue. During class I was able to discuss with two classmates about single-use plastics and the complications of recycling and the unsustainable practices we are employing today.  

Good Afternoon! As of today I plan on spending a large portion outside, enjoying and valuing the outdoors and recreational nature reserve within my neighborhood! Me and my partner will be taking public transportation and staying off our screens for as long as possible! Get out and enjoy the fresh air! I had no idea I wasn't signed up for Soc 228 EcoChallenge but I have been participating in another another from the start! Hope y'all give me a warm welcome and we can participate in some activities or volunteer opportunities in the near future. 

Post for today~ I volunteered with youth this morning in the Parkrose neighborhood, to plant 32 trees on the Roseway Parkway urban plot by part of Portland Parks and Recreation! So fun and great for our environment and community even if it isn’t in my neighborhood, yet! I’m so glad to see kids within my generation working to better our planet and adding more lovely trees to Portland. 💪🏼✊🏼 Go Panthers Leading the Path for Our Future~