Supported by research grant, Environmental Science majors attend conference abroad
This summer was jam packed full of environmental advocacy for a group of Pacific students who spent a week in Stockholm, Sweden. They traveled across the ocean to attend a conference that only takes place once every five years. Brodie Buchert, Emma Seres, Sancho Eskridge, and Professor Kara Lanning were given the opportunity to sit in on the conference, which is organized by the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO).
“They just talked about environmental policy and environmental research, while also focusing on things they’re doing today,” Buchert explained. Seres added that the conference was a “once in a lifetime” experience.
Buchert and Seres are both majoring in environmental science, having been drawn to the major by their upbringings. “My family have always been plant people,” Seres recalled. “So, I’ve always been into it and pretty passionate about it.”
Buchert similarly related, joking that his favorite show growing up was Animal Planet. “I think the thing that really got me into environmental science was taking AP environmental science in high school,” he explained. “I think that really drove me to exploring my interest in environmental science.” Now, the pair are both pursuing careers in environmental science, seeking out ways to use their knowledge for the greater good. Thanks to these interests, Buchert and Beres were lined up to attend the conference this summer.
“It’s always a conference that she [Professor Lanning] wanted to go to,” Buchert said, explaining that Professor Lanning’s ambition for attending the conference stretches back throughout her life. With the financial support of Pacific’s summer research programs, as well as other grants through Pacific, the group was able to attend with full financial support. The process of applying for all the scholarships and grants was a taxing one, but Seres and Buchert agreed that it was well worth the time. By mid-June, the group was planted in Sweden, ready to spend the next week in conference rooms.
The presentations were led by major businesses such as IKEA and the World Wildlife Fund. The students choose which presentations to attend based on their interests and intrigue. “I’ve never been so up close and personal,” Seres admitted, describing the surreal feeling of observing the primary people dealing with environmental concerns. For Seres, this experience was a guidance tool that helped her decipher which areas of environmental science she’s interested in career wise. “It was very much exploration for me,” she commented. “Like figuring out what I’m interested in and hopefully that will help me figure out a career path for my future.”
Buchert experienced that factor as well, but he got an additional perk from the conference. Along with traveling to Sweden this summer, he’s also been operating his own summer research project. “I was able to ask some collaborators that my professor knew about my project, and they were able to give me pointers and advice,” he shared gratefully.
Five years from now there will be another conference, and by that point both students will most likely be settled into careers. The timing of the conference this summer was perfect for the group, marking it as an experience capable of shaping their futures. The duo advised other students who are involved in environmental studies to take full advantage of the opportunities presented to them. “Definitely take advantage of making connections with people,” Seres suggested. “Having connections and the opportunity to work and collaborate with other people is really important.”
On the flip side, Buchert advocated for students to participate in as many summer research projects as they can. “Labs and classes are great, but you never really get the full experience until you’re fully immersed in it,” he urged.
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