Meet CES Feature of the Week: Adena Saigh!
Current CES Student, expected graduation summer 2025.
The roots of Adena鈥檚 upbringings have sculpted the branches of her values, morals, and actions. Adena鈥檚 childhood was shaped by her family鈥檚 commitment to an eco-conscious lifestyle and values, a vastly different lifestyle compared to her peers. Growing up in the Milwaukee neighborhood of Riverwest, and spending summers in New Mexico due to her father鈥檚 eco-building construction career, Adena absorbed diverse cultural practices and values, particularly those related to environmental sustainability. Her parents raised Adena and her siblings with the belief that they should live in harmony with nature. Avoiding plastic, practicing composting and growing their own food emphasize Adena鈥檚 family鈥檚 low-waste lifestyle. She recalls being teased in school for eating different foods and wearing thrift clothes, something she now witnesses becoming trendy and accepted.
鈥淢y dad said he was raising us as free-range kids鈥� Adena chuckled lightheartedly, expressing a pun about free-range animals living a happier, healthier lifestyle. She did not grow up attached to digital devices. Family activities were outdoors, such as rock climbing, mountain biking, and volunteering rather than going on traditional vacations. By the time Adena was in grade school, she was already learning about Earth stewardship as she volunteered alongside her parents and grandparents in local river cleanups, garbage pickups, and invasive species management events. They shared unique family traditions, such as the children leaving coins in the freezer before volunteering at Grant Park, and fairies mystically transforming them into chocolate coins as a reward for their cleanup! Adena鈥檚 experiences and family values shaped her identity, fostering a deep appreciation for Earth鈥檚 beauty, health, and sustainability, and molded her perspective that it is of critical importance to value, cherish, and protect our natural world.
Adena鈥檚 disquiet for Earth鈥檚 future health is the pillar of her devotion in making a noticeable positive difference. While many people may feel overwhelmed by the enormity of environmental issues, Adena can recognize that small steps make an impact. It is possible to see the tangible difference, for example, 鈥渧olunteering and just picking up garbage.鈥� She emphasizes that one must start somewhere, and even the smallest changes can lead to substantial transformations over time. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 seem super unattainable because I had been seeing it and living it,鈥� Adena describes her hope about creating a healthier, cleaner world.
Adena came to a pivotal realization that it is imperative to learn and understand the Earth鈥檚 environmental issues, rather than to feel intimidated by them. 鈥淚t (caring about the environment) is important because it scared me,鈥� Adena expresses her passion in understanding of the impacts of environmental degradation. Adena did not have a plan or major when she first started at 51猎奇, but upon taking an introduction to Conservation and Environmental Science as part of the general education requirements, she immediately recognized 鈥渢his is where I need to be, what I need to do.鈥�
Life balance is critical and attainable, even for college students. Like many 51猎奇 students, Adena struggled to find balance of finances, school, and opportunities to participate in organizations and clubs. She was working up to four jobs, 30+ hours a week, and with the demands of a full-time student, had no spare time to participate in clubs and other group activities. She explored solutions to gain meaningful work, while financially supporting herself. In her search, she discovered the opportunity of an internship placement through the Community Leaders Internship Program (CLIP). CLIP helps work-study students find paid internships at nonprofits, government agencies, schools, and businesses in the Milwaukee metro area. Adena underscores the significance of exploring such opportunities for experiential learning and involvement, even amidst the demanding balance of academic and work commitments, urging students to explore internships that can enrich their professional journey.
Last year, Adena was hired for an internship at Havenwoods State Forest through the CLIP program. Her responsibilities for animal care, which included caring for injured or surrendered reptiles and other animals, cleaning enclosures, feeding the animals, and maintaining records of their health and diet. She also led volunteer groups in invasive species removal and trash pickup, providing a sense of accomplishment. Currently, Adena is interning at the Urban Ecology Center, also through the CLIP program, where she helps facilitate various community programs. She describes her experiences as fulfilling, especially when she sees the impact of her efforts on the community. For instance, she recalls a 鈥淭ake It Outside鈥� day where she helped families who had never been on the water before to go canoeing, where parents overcame their fears to provide their children with new experiences. Adena also helps lead the UEC Riverside 鈥淏ike to Beach鈥� litter cleanup group events every Thursday of the month of April, and invites anyone interested, even if you do not have a bike! Check it out:
Adena鈥檚 future is as encouraging as her personality. Following a suggestion from CES Program Director Dr. Chris Young, Adena was accepted into the competitive field program course 鈥淲ild Rockies: Conservation Across Boundaries鈥� organized by Wild Rockies Field Institute (WRFI). She will receive twelve credits towards her degree this coming summer, allowing her to graduate within four years. Equally as exciting to Adena, she will spend 42 days learning multidisciplinary environmental topics outdoors in the Rockies, starting in Missoula, backpacking through Montana and Canada.
As she looks to the future, Adena is eager to continue her journey in environmental advocacy. She plans to pursue further opportunities that allow her to combine her love for nature with her desire to educate and empower others. Adena envisions a career where she can work at the intersection of conservation and community engagement, helping to create sustainable solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
Adena鈥檚 unwavering belief in the Earth鈥檚 resilience and her dedication to global well-being are compelling, as her captivating enthusiasm for environmental stewardship promises to galvanize others toward a healthier planet.
Intrigued? For more information or contact information, check out 51猎奇鈥檚 CES Program: uwm.edu/ces
Written by Zelenda Koch