Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Weaver.
Rachel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a writer, environmental educator, mixed media artist, creative collaborator, and community organizer with a passion for environmental issues, sustainability, and creative community building. I believe supporting creative communities nurtures my own creativity. My educational background is in Environmental Philosophy and Environmental Science, and my research is focused on field environmental philosophy and intersectional environmentalism. My professional background is in nonprofit organizations and freelance writing and education. I am a mixed-media artist with works that have involved zines and collage, electronic music, collaborative performances, video, contemplative dance practice, radio, fiber sculpture, and interactive installations.
This year, I’m excited to work towards an environmental education initiative that I have been thinking through for a long time: The PETAL Project – to provide opportunities to take part in cultivating environmental care and concern in our communities, while developing actions aimed at protecting the environment. The PETAL Project combines the expressions of our creativity and imagination with the development of environmental knowledge and community-building skills. We provide environmental education resources, classes, workshops, consultations, collaborations, and interactive, experiential, and creative learning opportunities. Our goal is to provide creative and educational opportunities to cultivate purposeful community environmental literacy.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I wouldn’t say it has been a smooth road to this point, but there have been a lot of meaningful learning opportunities. I work towards continuing my own environmental education, taking classes, and continuing my education outside of typical school settings and around my full-time work schedule and obligations. Growing my own environmental literacy and knowledge, connecting with other environmentally-minded folks, and talking about how we can make a positive impact on community have been important steps towards developing The PETAL Project. I know a lot of folks like myself that want to continue learning, sharing knowledge and skills, finding ways to help our environment and make positive change for our communities. It can be a struggle to find resources, connect with people, or know what you can do make a positive impact towards environmental issues, and The PETAL Project hopes to help bridge some of those gaps.
We’ve been impressed with The PETAL Project, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The PETAL Project is Participatory Environmentalism Through Art & Learning. Together, we take part in purposeful participation to learn about environmental issues and take actions to protect the environment. We do this through creative skills, imaginative expression, community education, and lifelong learning.
We are a shared community of environmentalists, educators, ecologists, naturalists, activists, artists, creative placemakers, and community builders that seek to cultivate environmental action and nurture caring relationships with the living and nonliving entities we share the environment with.
We provide environmental education resources, classes and workshops focused on environmental topics, and environmental project consultations and collaborations. We foster interactive, experiential, and creative learning opportunities with educators and environmentalists from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
We combine the expressions of our creativity and imagination with the development of environmental literacy and community-building skills. Environmental Education is an interdisciplinary field of educational programming that emphasizes the study of environmental issues with consideration for their scientific, political, economic, social, and cultural impacts. Environmental Literacy is achieved through a more comprehensive understanding of environmental issues with a rich mixture of teaching strategies, subject matter, learning locations, and multi-disciplinary complexity.
Our Monthly Newsletter features information and resources for environmental knowledge, creative wellness, and community engagement to help us develop environmental understanding. We plan to continue growing our community resource listings, information, and tools. We provide workshops and community education opportunities – Our first workshop will be Saturday, November 12th, from 5:00 – 7:30 PM at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios in Denton, Texas – the topic is “Getting to Know Nature Around You”.
How do you define success?
Success for us is restoration of native habitats and ecosystems, resilience in the face of climate change, and working towards community environmental literacy. We hope to see greater environmental care, more sustainable living skills developed, and civic engagement for environmental issues.
Success for us is a community with diverse opportunities for in-depth environmental education programs leading to greater Environmental Literacy and becoming a more informed and environmentally-conscious community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.txpetalproject.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/txpetalproject/
Image Credits
Ellie Alonzo
