Welcome Stephanie, tell us a little about yourself:
I'm a thirty-something scientist, and I've made my way into the advocacy world. For my day job, I work on improving Houston's air quality. I've been a member of Sierra Club for several years now, and I was drawn to the Club because of their commitment to protecting wild spaces and promoting a wholehearted relationship with nature, and I've served on the local excom. I also love to hula hoop!

Describe the first time you felt a strong affinity for nature?
Despite living in a big city (Philadelphia), as a child, my father took my brothers and I hiking frequently, both inside and outside of the city. We also spent our summers on the New Jersey shore, attempting to construct sand castles and swimming in the water. I will never forget a time when I was 5 years old, while on a hike, I let loose a candy wrapper on the ground, and my father took me aside to explain the importance of not littering. That moment stuck with me, and helped cultivate in me a responsibility to be a steward of the earth.

Describe a time you participated at a Sierra Club event?  What did you do and what motivated you to participate?
One of my favorite Sierra Club events was a tree identification course led by Brandt Manchen, just north of Houston. I loved hiking in he woods, learning about the specific kinds of trees that live in our area and some of their stories. I had never seen such a large Magnolia before! That trip gave me a greater appreciation for the trees that call the Houston area home.

What kind of activity or activities would you like to see the Houston Sierra Club to do more of and why?
I love getting to know fellow Sierrans, so I'm glad to see more socials being organized by the club.

What environmental message do you have for young people?
Sometimes the environmental challenges that we (all of us) face can seem daunting. Remember that we can only take one step at a time, and that each step, no matter how big or small, is important to transforming our world.