Curt Gervich is one of only 40 people selected from competitors nationwide for the TogetherGreen Conservation Leadership Program, part of a new conservation initiative of the National Audubon Society with support from Toyota. Fellows receive specialized training in conservation planning and execution, the chance to work and share best practices with gifted conservation professionals, and assistance with project outreach and evaluation. Each Fellow will also receive $10,000 towards a community-focused project to engage local residents in conserving land, water and energy, and contributing to greater environmental health.
For his fellowship, Gervich will focus his efforts on creating a collaborative decision making workshop and guidebook for conservation networks, based on his past research and experiences. By enhancing groups’ ability to accomplish collaborative goals and spread their work beyond environmental arenas, Gervich is taking a critical step behind the scenes of conservation work. His project will help organizations learn how to work together more effectively – strengthening conservation efforts through new partnerships and allies, and making the world we all share a healthier place.
Gervich has been involved in conservation efforts for a decade and is currently an environmental planner and conflict mediator who is also completing his doctoral degree in Virginia Tech’s School for Public and International Affairs. Gervich has managed conflict associated with the development of new coal mining mitigation requirements in West Virginia, protecting endangered species in Georgia and Tennessee and developing compromises that balance ecological and economic integrity of the land.
“Curt is the kind of person who can make a real difference in the health of our environment and the quality of our future,” said Audubon President John Flicker. “Each of our TogetherGreen Fellows demonstrates exceptional environmental understanding and commitment, combined with tremendous potential to inspire and lead others. Together, they represent the talented and diverse leadership the environmental community will need to tackle the huge challenges and opportunities confronting us now and in the years to come.”
“I hope that my work is able to enhance the capacity of the sustainability movement at large, by improving collaboration among environmental organizations and the private and public sectors,” said Gervich. “I believe that if we are to tackle the environmental problems that we face we must work together, and that’s not always easy. The collaborative tools I am able to create through the TogetherGreen Fellowship will aim to ease the difficulties of collaboration around environmental issues.”
Gervich has been affiliated with Virginia Tech since 2006. Prior to that, he was affiliated with Newfields-Consensus Solutions and the University of Georgia. Half of the TogetherGreen fellows come from within Audubon’s far-reaching national network; half channel their environmental efforts through other organizations.
Gervich is currently working towards his Ph.D in environmental design and planning from Virginia Polytechnic and State University, and received his Masters degree in natural resource planning from the University of Vermont. His work has been published in several journals and newspapers, including the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Burlington Free Press, and Iowa Falls Times Citizen.
“Toyota believes in the power of grassroots efforts to develop the environmental leaders of tomorrow,” said Patricia Salas Pineda, Group Vice President, Toyota Motor North America. “These 40 TogetherGreen Fellows will receive invaluable training for the future while immediately making a difference today with on-the-ground community projects.”
A complete list of the 2008 TogetherGreen fellows can be found at www.TogetherGreen.org/fellows.
Audubon and Toyota launched the five-year TogetherGreen initiative in spring, 2008 to fund conservation projects, train environmental leaders, and offer volunteer and individual action opportunities that significantly benefit the environment. As of October, volunteer days have begun in 40, tallying in excess of 11,000 volunteer hours. Funding totaling $1.4 million was recently awarded to innovative conservation projects nationwide, while www.TogetherGreen.org helps users take individual conservation action and share and celebrate success stories. The TogetherGreen initiative and grants programs are funded by a $20 million Toyota gift to Audubon, the largest in the conservation group’s long history.
Now in its second century, Audubon connects people with birds, nature and the environment that supports us all. Our national network of community-based nature centers, chapters, scientific, education, and advocacy programs engages millions of people from all walks of life in conservation action to protect and restore the natural world. Visit Audubon online at www.audubon.org.
Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants, with another under construction in Mississippi. Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Through its corporate initiatives, manufacturing operations and philanthropy, Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. In 2007, Toyota contributed more than $56 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S. For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit http://www.toyota.com/community.
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