Summer 2023 Sustainability Fellow: Nia Ogletree

Partner: Sustainable Tallahassee

Project: Position Statements

Student: Nia Ogletree

Nia Ogletree, a junior studying Environment & Society with minors in Urban & Regional Planning and African American Studies, worked as a Sustainability Fellow during the Summer 2023 semester. As a passionate advocate for sustainable practices and social justice, Nia embraced the opportunity to make a difference. In collaboration with Shawn Youngblood, at Sustainable Tallahassee, Nia crafted impactful position statements that will educate the community and drive positive change.

Sustainable Tallahassee operates on a unique premise, designed to amplify community voices through position statements. These statements serve as written declarations of intentions, objectives, or goals on specific topics, providing a framework within which the organization operates. In a landscape dominated by government, education, healthcare, and business entities, Sustainable Tallahassee emerges as a vital representative of the community voice. Their position statements inform public opinion, hold institutions accountable, and contribute to conversations that shape society's trajectory.

Nia's role as a Sustainability Fellow was to contribute to the creation of position statements that reflect the essence of sustainability and the community's values. By working closely with Sustainable Tallahassee's team, Nia aimed to ensure that these statements were not only accurate but also compelling. Nia recognized the importance of precise articulation in communicating Sustainable Tallahassee's stance on sustainability issues to members and residents of Tallahassee.

For Nia, sustainability transcends the conventional notion of resource conservation. It encompasses a holistic approach that addresses social justice and community well-being. Through their work as a student program coordinator with Sustainable Campus and a campus organizer with the CLEO Institute, Nia developed valuable skills in communication, time management, teamwork, and independent work. The Sustainability Fellows program provided an avenue for Nia to delve into diverse sustainability fields and broaden their perspective beyond formal education.

“I'll be taking on a leadership role with a climate education non-profit as the lead advocate/organizer for our local campaign. My experience as a fellow will help me delegate tasks to myself and my peers and better understand policies and legislation that we have to evaluate or policies that we draft ourselves.” Ogletree said.

Nia's Fellowship project goal was to produce position statements on Solar Energy and Storage—a project with the potential to drive awareness and inspire action within the community. By engaging in meticulous research, analyzing Tallahassee-specific initiatives, and studying successful models from other cities, Nia worked with Shawn Youngblood and Sustainable Tallahassee's board members and committees to craft statements.

Sustainable Tallahassee's mission is rooted in fostering a sustainable future for all. By contributing to position statements that encapsulate the community's values and aspirations, Nia Ogletree played a pivotal role in the organization's journey. Nia's commitment to combining sustainability and social justice promises a future where voices are amplified, issues are addressed, and positive change is cultivated.

Watch Nia's presentation here.

To learn more about the Sustainability Fellows program, visit sustainablecampus.fsu.edu/sustainability-fellows.