Written by Emily Crowley

Coming into Dogwood Alliance as an intern for the Our Forests Aren’t Fuel campaign I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I was willing to do whatever I could to learn as much as possible about environmental nonprofit work and do something useful for Dogwood. When I first met with Emily Zucchino, the Campaign Organizer for Our Forests Aren’t Fuel, she welcomed me with open arms. We organized and worked together on a work plan that would help Dogwood while helping me learn as much as possible.

I never expected to learn as much as I have in the past 15 weeks.

I’ve greatly enjoyed working with others who are passionate about the environment. Thinking back on my experience at Dogwood, I can’t be anything but positive.

Working with Emily, I’ve helped organize student group connections, volunteer night events and Earth Day events on campuses across the southeast, including on my campus at Brevard College. I had so much fun working with other students and planning how to spread the word about Dogwood. I feel lucky to have been a part of Dogwood and a student, allowing me to be more than an intern; I was a part of the movement.

I’ve learned that patience, hard work and passion are what it takes to execute planning, and I’ve learned the importance of continued connections to further the cause.

I learned that if passion for the forest movement drives your work, than it never really seems like work.

Adam and Emily and every staff member at Dogwood are incredibly passionate about their work, and it was inspiring for me to be part of that.

As an Environmental Studies major, I’ve been exposed to the different sectors of energy, but I knew very little about the biomass industry before this internship.

If I’ve learned anything from this internship, it’s that biomass is not the answer!

The Our Forests Aren’t Fuel campaign has been easy to become invested in about because it ties in with things I am already passionate about like climate change. Without trees, what hope do we have? I’ve also gotten the chance to learn more about the communities that this industry affects, and it’s inspired me to delve even further to learn more and hopefully create a senior project out of it. This internship has done so much more than give me skills and a resume filler; it’s given me connections and experience, and it’s helped me understand what I want to do in my future.

I know now that I want to change the world in some way, in any way, like the staff at Dogwood does.

Dogwood makes an impact and changes things for the better, and that’s all I’ve wanted to do with my life.

Dogwood has shown me that it is possible to have a career that you love and can feel good about. Those in nonprofit work are driven and passionate, especially those at Dogwood. I want to thank my supervisor Emily Zucchino for teaching me so much, and Adam Macon and Scot Quaranda for helping me grow and learn as much as possible.

I’m looking forward to staying in touch and reading about Dogwood in the news!