May's Climate Leader: Amy Lastinger
Amy has been teaching Environmental Sciences at Peabody School for six years. She earned a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences from NC State University and a Masters in Science Education from The University of Texas, Austin. Her philosophy of teaching is summed up in this quote by Dewey: “Abandon the notion of subject-matter as something fixed and ready-made in itself, outside the child’s experience; cease thinking of the child’s experience as also something hard and fast; see it as something fluent, embryonic, vital; …the present standpoint of the child and the facts and truths of studies define instruction. It is a continuous reconstruction.” Besides her love of teaching, Amy is a proud mom to Jack, Sam, and Lucy (19, 17, and 15).
1. How did you get involved and passionate about the environment?
It is just how I showed up on this Earth. Being outside, being among nature, digging in the dirt, snooping around along a river, that just felt most comfortable. Having the opportunity to stand at the base of a Giant Sequoia in aww, sitting along the banks of the St. Johns River in its constant movement, each little adventure outside, these real-world experiences fed my passion and curiosity to learn more. The more I learned, the more passionate I became.
2. Tell us what gives you excitement or hope when it comes to the important issue of the climate crisis?
Nature’s resilience and soil science give me hope at the moment. No one talked about the soil when I was growing up. But today, in the environmental world, the soil is no longer being treated like dirt. We are realizing that nature had it figured out before we came along. The idea that, literally, grass-root efforts all across the world can be a big solution to the climate crisis is exciting! Re-wilding, restorative ecology, and sustainable farming are all terms that are surfacing more and more often in conversations. I often yell out to my students, “Why are our Norms our Norms?!?” Who decided we needed to work against nature, instead of with Her? I see more and more people starting to ask that same question and getting back to listening to nature. That might have been a silver lining of Covid. We slowed down and began to SEE things. We started experimenting in our yards. We started taking walks outside. We gave ourselves some time to be around nature, and that was good.
3. What is one thing that you think is holding the state or local community back from greater progress on implementing climate solutions?
The fear of doing things differently or changing norms. Evidence shows that we have many solutions to reverse global warming already figured out. Before there was even a major climate crisis, many of these solutions have been options. The problem is that very few are willing to do anything differently than what we are used to doing. Many are unwilling to look at the bigger picture and the integration of change needed now for a better future for our children. We are creatures of habit, and change is hard. But there is hope because many in our community ARE starting to question these norms and say this does not make any sense. One example is our yards and parks. As I drive around, I am starting to see homes and businesses “re-wilding” their spaces. People are beginning to see that working with nature is more resourceful and beneficial. Re-wilding requires less work, offers habitat for birds, pollinators and nature, and creates healthy soil, which is a climate solution.
4. What is a climate action personally or professionally that you are proud of?
I am a teacher because I think that the only way that real change can happen is if we learn about the benefits of nature’s biodiversity, and how everything is interconnected and works together to create a balanced system. We must understand that we are just a small connected part of this system. My mission is to get kids outside, walking alongside nature, understanding the magic of nature by sitting among it long enough, quietly observing, getting bored long enough to begin to wonder and question the little movements not seen at first glance. What a gift it is for me to help guide and foster curiosity in a student that lights a spark in them to see that we are actually a part of the system and it is our job to be stewards of our Earth and work with Her.
One concrete example of this stewardship that makes me proud is the Peabody Piedmont Prairie Project. We have just completed a year-long grant-funded project with Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District, Wild Ginger Field Services, and Hummingbird Hill to re-wild the front of our school into a native piedmont grassland, from a sterile monoculture grass lawn. Using an old-growth remnant prairie just up the road from Peabody school as our model, we have successfully made a native grassland habitat. The hope was to create a space that would be an educational tool and an example of the beauty of re-wilding, an example of how one can make a difference even in their tiny lawn. Devin Floyd from the Center for Urban Habitats sums it up: “Education is critical, and people need access to knowledge and solutions for having wild spaces instead of lawns, for the benefit of pollinators, birds, frogs, lizards, and other wonders of the Piedmont.” We did that this year at Peabody School, a student-led project-based experience that has shown us the magic of restorative ecology.
5. What are you seeing and hearing from our youth on this issue?
As we study the issues around environmental science, students always ask, “what can we do?” Youth bring energy, passion, and an open-mindedness to the problems and solutions that are inspiring. The kids are questioning our norms. The kids are demanding we act now. I think it is important that our youth see the hope that is out there. I teach them the stories of hope and success, like Cabo Pulmo or Selah, or even projects like re-wilding land locally to show how resilient nature can be if we respect nature and allow the system to work in balance. The students are always saying, “Why doesn’t everyone see this or do this? People need to be educated.” One thing I have learned as a teacher is that we adults, more often than not, underestimate the voice of our youth. I have learned that our youth are wise, thought-full, and with a purer voice of reason and fairness than most adults. Our youth are not afraid to step outside our written norms to do right by the Earth. What I have seen is when we show students that we believe in them and give them guidance and support, they become creative leaders with powerful voices for change and stewardship for our Earth. It is really quite amazing to witness.
6. What are you hopeful about when it comes to climate?
I am seeing grassroots change happening now. People are starting to work with nature more, for energy, for food, and for well-being. I see homes with solar panels. I see yards with wild grasses and native plants versus manicured monoculture grass. I see local farmers and restaurants being supported. I see more people talking about making change and speaking out. I see the economy driving the change, with renewable energy now more affordable than coal. I see people voting for the Earth.
Is it fast enough? Is it worldwide enough? No, probably not. But as the norms shift, as people see it is ok to work with nature, not above Her, I believe we will and are seeing the momentum take off. We must support and reward the “First Movers.” These are the risk-takers who see the benefit of looking at the long-term gains over the short-term gains. The many First Movers, who step away from our norms, give me hope.
7. Being a strong climate advocate, and taking personal action, all while raising kids is challenging! What is your favorite way to recharge and rejuvenate?
Well, I guess we have come full circle on the questions here. Being outside, being among nature, digging in the dirt, snooping around along a river, that just feels most comfortable. To recharge and rejuvenate from the busy schedule of teaching and being a momma, I go outside and take a deep breath. There is nothing more peaceful than being among nature, soaking in the little gifts, like the song of a wood thrush, searching the landscape for the amazing art in the individual wildflowers along a walk, or imagining what the old northern red oak has witnessed in its 100 years standing. When I allow myself to slow down enough to soak in the gifts of nature, I always return feeling way more refreshed and excited. I return eager to learn more and to find new ways to share that passion with my students.