Hello! My name is Kyla Walker; I’m a Senior in my final semester as a first-generation and low-income student from Philadelphia. I’m majoring in Environmental Studies with minors in Political Science and Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies. My passion is on the intersection of environmentalism and politics, specifically environmental justice and gender disparities. After graduating in May, I plan to work with an environmental non-profit in Philadelphia, with the future goal of law school for environmental law. Some key things about me are that I love to sing and cook (preferably at the same time) and I am an Eagles fan. Go birds.
I chose to participate in this program because of the progress that will be achieved with our client, Caras con Causa, an environmental non-profit that promotes community development to eliminate poverty through education, environment development, and economic development in Puerto Rico. They collaborate with surrounding communities, contribute to sustainable local development through the conservation of the area’s natural resources by incorporating reforestation, environmental education, and community science programs. Their goals are to strengthen ecological services and counteract climate change. My favorite feature of Caras Con Causa is their community laboratory, LabCom. The LabCom, or Community Laboratory for Scientific and Cultural Empowerment, is dedicated to achieving the conservation of the Ciénaga Las Cucharillas Natural Reserve (RNCC) by improving the educational experience of students in the area and empowering communities that have struggled for decades to improve environmental quality. To achieve this, the lab develops community integration projects, STEM education, and scientific research with middle and high school students. Caras was founded in 2004 by a group of university students, and after multiple grants, LabCom was created in 2018.
I wanted to work with this program because of the impactful work they are contributing to Puerto Rico’s community and natural habitat. They are promoting the vision of young students and creating citizen scientists who get to better understand their surrounding natural environment where they live. Our work with Caras will consist of creating advertisement material for LabCom, to create connections with other universities who would be interested in working with them! We want to bring more funding and connections to Caras, as they provide a unique field work experience that combines working with the environment and the surrounding community.
Through this program, I hope to get my hands dirty by using the lab, seeing the Mangrove Reserves, and get the opportunity to communicate with the middle and high school students. This will also be my field work that will finish out my degree, which is really exciting! Puerto Rico is a lovely island that I am honored to have the opportunity to explore. I am captivated by the natural habitat and beauty of the island, and can’t wait to encounter some warmer weather after this winter. I hope to see the national animal, the coquí, a small tree frog, and be immersed in San Juan’s beautiful city streets. The culture, atmosphere, and charm of Puerto Rico cannot be felt through pictures, and I’m ecstatic for the opportunity to visit!
Thank you to my loving parents for helping me out on this journey as well :)))