Volunteers

Audrey Ishiyama, Colby College ’28, Portland Oregon

I was inspired to volunteer with Ecoseva because of their commitment to tackling climate issues head-on. Through extensive research as well as deep immersion with locals, Ecoseva is driving real change in the world. Ecoseva supported me researching my own interests, combining environmental policy and culture, and I gained invaluable insights from Dr. Conlon’s expertise.

I am a Colby College student double majoring in environmental policy and economics with a minor in Japanese. From beginning sustainability projects in high school to my recent work with Ecoseva, I’ve been motivated to find solutions that connect ecological, economic, and cultural perspectives and turn those ideas into real-world policy.

Natalia Kailee Walker, WFCB Undergraduate Student at UC Davis, Los Angeles

What inspires me to volunteer with Ecoseva is always being in the pursuit of knowledge regarding our natural world, and contributing my time to helping any organization with similar values. Being able to volunteer with Ecoseva, even if in a small way, makes me feel like I’m spending my time more wisely over the summer while also contributing to something bigger than myself.

I am a second year undergraduate student at the University of California Davis, majoring in Wildlife Fish and Conservation Biology. I’ve had an interest in animals since I was a little kid, so getting to pursue a degree in a subject I’m passionate about is something I’m extremely grateful for. I hope to obtain a position in wildlife conservation after graduating, hopefully with social outreach aspects as well.

Besides my career aspirations, some of my hobbies include playing musical instruments such as violin and guitar, rollerblading, and reading.

Alifaa Arshi Waqia, Senior at Colby College, Class of 2026

I was drawn to the work which Ecoseva Institute is doing in the Himalayas, where they are researching to improve the lives of many indigenous people who have been living there for generations. People are now struggling to adapt to the environmental degradation, shifting of weather patterns, and are forced to relocate from their ancestral lands. Volunteering to work as a researcher gives me the opportunity to support the current ethnographic research and to be part of a meaningful effort to document and become more aware about these challenges.

I was born in Bangladesh, where people living at the coastal areas of Bangladesh are already facing the devastating impacts of the ongoing climate change as sea level continues to rise over time. It is predicted that by 2100, nearly 1/3 of the country will be under the sea. Seeing the alarming rate at which sea level is rising in Bangladesh, and how people in my home country are on the front lines of this crisis deeply shapes my perspective about the need to address climate change.

Alifaa’s academic interest centers on the ways environmental changes intersect with human history and how people adapt to those changes. As part of her work with Ecoseva, Alifaa is researching the previously collected paleoclimate archives such as ice cores, tree rings, marine sediment cores, and pollen records to better understand how climate patterns have shifted over time. This scientific perspective complements the lived experiences of the indigenous communities, who are adapting to the challenges brought by the rapidly changing environment. She is passionate about supporting communities on the frontlines of climate change, and learning from their stories of adaptation and perseverance.