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<\/a>A committed conservationist, Quiroz, who described herself as a \u201cstilt-walking environmentalist and Latina philanthropist,\u201d said the fellowship brought her a lot of knowledge and presented many future opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe seven-day fellowship brought together 20 emerging leaders in conservation to the Center for Whole Communities\u2019 farm in the Mad River Valley of Vermont \u2013 a beautiful lush landscape where visitors can connect with nature and be outside,\u201d Quiroz said. \u201cDuring my time there, I slept in a yurt. I zip-lined into ponds and followed fireflies into the forest during night hikes. I also worked and did a lot of strategic thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quiroz said the fellowship selects participants through a nomination process, which is then reviewed by staff and a panel of stakeholders involved in the Center for Whole Communities. She said the Center\u2019s Knoll Farm grows blueberries and raises Icelandic sheep in Vermont\u2019s climate, which is perfect for both activities.<\/p>\n
Born out of a partnership with the Center for Diversity and the Environment and Center for Whole Communities, the 2042 fellowship\u2019s numerical name \u2013 marking the year 2042 \u2013 was not randomly chosen.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore and more conservationists are thinking about the exciting significance of 2042, the date one generation out when demographers predict that every metropolitan statistical area will be predominantly non-white,\u201d the Center for Whole Communities website states. \u201cBut few efforts are in place today to equip conservation leaders with the leadership skills to engage differences of all kinds.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Center\u2019s website goes on to say that innovative leadership with today\u2019s conservationists is developed in several ways: through historical context, engaging in collaborations and understanding shared successes.<\/p>\n
Quiroz directs The San Diego Foundation\u2019s Malin Burnham San Diego<\/em> <\/em>Center for Civic Engagement\u2019s Opening the Outdoors initiative. She talked about its purpose.<\/p>\n \u201cOpening the Outdoors is a new initiative of The San Diego Foundation\u2019s Center for Civic Engagement whose focus is making sure that everyone has access to the outdoors \u2013 what we all love about living here,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n In the initiative\u2019s first year, Quiroz said participants will collaborate with partners to advance the completion of the San Diego River Park.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will also work to get kids out into nature,\u201d she said. \u201cThe San Diego region has a long history of connecting and protecting the outdoors. The opening of the outdoors initiative will build upon that history and work to increase access to trails, parks and open space.\u201d<\/p>\n Quiroz said there are other, smaller projects happening in the region as well, including the Border Gateway to Nature program at Border Field State Park near the United States-Mexico border.<\/p>\n \u201cTogether with our partners at the Tijuana Estuary and 4Walls International, we are improving the entrance to increase public access and enhance visitor experience,\u201d Quiroz said. \u201cHere\u2019s the thing: we are using repurposed trash from the Tijuana River to demonstrate our shared watershed and build public awareness around the shared trash and sediment issues. It\u2019s a fascinating space that most San Diegans don\u2019t venture out to see.\u201d<\/p>\n Quiroz said she believes having participated in the 2042 fellowship program is going to help her in both the short and long term.<\/p>\n \u201cMy work at The San Diego Foundation has exposed me to the incredible amount of dedicated people working on all kinds of interesting things,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was natural for me to begin volunteering in our bi-national region. Not only is it a way to connect and learn, it\u2019s a way to contribute. And since I can\u2019t imagine a world where we don\u2019t help one another I seek meaning through serving.\u201d<\/p>\n Commitment to public service is something that is intuitive and transferable in everyone, she said, calling all individuals \u201chard wired\u201d for caring about the environment and each other.<\/p>\n \u201cInstead of teaching people to be philanthropists or environmentalists, ask them instead to show you how they already are,\u201d she said. \u201cThis is what I aim to do.\u201d<\/p>\n