Welcome to Around the Table, a regular series where we talk to people in our network and share the incredible work they are doing in their industry. Pull up a chair and join us for conversation and connection.
In fourth grade I visited the Southwest Museum for a class trip where we learned about California Indians. I am Gabrielino Tongva. During the tour, the docent stated that the Gabrielino were extinct, which I knew was not true because I was alive. In sixth grade, I learned about archaeology and found out that museum docents turn to archaeological and anthropological books for their information. I decided that I needed to become an archaeologist to correct the misinformation in those books about my community.
What sets Cogstone Resource Management’s approach to environmental services apart from other firms?
Our analysis and recommendations are based on good passionate science but also on practical solutions. We look at the bigger picture, as the work that we do affects other aspects of the project. We try to find solutions that are out of the box and help move the project forward.
What is one cultural resources policy you would like to see changed in the future and why?
Agencies and other government entities should create full-blown collaborative tribal programs that look at their managed lands as a whole, instead of waiting for a project to be undertaken to start communicating with tribes. A holistic approach would allow agencies to do better planning and not go down a rabbit hole on a project on land that is important to the tribes. They would then already know the importance of the land and thus avoid it, if possible.
Communicating with Native American tribal leaders is different than talking to other stakeholders. You should approach it as you would a head of state. They are the leader of their nation and should be treated as such. Also, although a tribal leader may speak English, there are culturally based communication patterns that you need to be aware of because it will affect participation if not recognized.
What’s the best advice you’ve received in your career?
When discussing our careers in third grade, my teacher said that we should pick a career that we love. I love archaeology and here I am decades later.
What advice would you offer to someone starting their career in environmental planning?
You need to learn the laws in the state that you will be working in and talk with people who use them or get an internship so that you can actually see the laws in action on the ground. Know the difference between the federal and state lingo. You don’t want to look like a fool by using them interchangeably.
If we were literally “around the table” right now, what food would you have brought to share and why?
Tasty Tongva Treats – well, that is what I call them. These are our super food power bars created by Craig Torres, one of our Tongva cultural educators. It is chia seed with various nuts and berries, like elderberry, one of our traditional foods, combined with agave syrup and rolled into balls. Chia was a staple in the Tongva diet and we have been moving to try and eat more like our ancestors .The recipe can be found in Cooking the Native Way: Chia Café Collective.
Interested in building a relationship and joining us around the table? Let’s connect.
Welcome to Around the Table, a regular series where we talk to people in our network and share the incredible work they are doing in their industry. Pull up a chair and join us for conversation and connection.
What drew you to the field of environmental planning?
From the start of my career, I was constantly involved in determining impacts associated with various activities at the municipal level and how to best minimize impacts through careful planning. Much of my early work was under the oversight of the local Conservation Commission. Later as I became engaged in similar activities at the State and Federal level, it became a part of my daily work.
What sets DAWSON’s approach to environmental services apart from other firms?
Commitment to excellence in an atmosphere of family support. Kūpono Ka Hana (excellence in service) and Ohana (family) are mottos that our founder Chris Dawson is truly passionate about.
What is one environmental planning policy you would like to see changed in the future and why?
A more rigorous and expansive approach to Cumulative Effects, particularly on projects of significant size and scope. A separate study would perhaps provide for a more in-depth analysis than typically seen.
Avid (adjective) – having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something. It’s more than just our company’s namesake. Passion for our work and for the things we love is part of our core values. Each month we’ll share some of the things we’re Avid Fans of with you.
To celebrate Earth Day this year, each of our team members took action in honor of the spinning rock we call home. From beach cleanups to farmers’ market adventures, we wanted to use this day to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future. We encourage you to do something, big or small, to leave a positive impact on our Earth.
Isabelle & Sophie cleaning up the beach. Photo by Stephanie Mace
Cleaning Up Our Earth – Steph
“Leave this world a little better than you found it” is the motto our family lives by whenever we visit a park, beach, or a new place. Earlier in April we were fortunate to spend time at the beach and my daughters served as our trash detectives. It proved to be an educational scavenger hunt and we felt as if the beach wildlife would live longer without the pieces of plastic, bottles, and cardboard boxes we picked up. On Monday, my daughters kicked off Earth Week by taking shorter showers (which seems like a miracle), attending virtual school in their pajamas, watering plants, learning about endangered species, and pledging to volunteer with Rock Creek Conservancy to clean up our favorite local parks throughout the year.
Picking up trash at Rock Creek Park. Photos by C. Montgomery.
Tikkun Olam: Repairing the World – Hana
The Hebrew phrase and Jewish teaching, tikkun olam (תיקון עולם),translates to “repairing the world.” While I learned about this in religious school as a child, I love how this concept is a universally human one. We are all responsible for our planet’s future and we should all contribute to its resilience. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you get stuck in the blackhole of statistics about climate change, habitat destruction, and greenhouse gas emissions. But looking through the lens of tikkun olam, I remember that I can’t be responsible for saving the planet; I can just do my part to help repair it.
My apartment is a block away from Rock Creek Park. I’ve found myself there nearly every day—whether I’m taking a walk through it to get away from my computer or sitting at the picnic tables reading my book. It is both peaceful and vibrant and is home to some of the best fetch D.C. has to offer its canine residents. However, it is also home to countless discarded water bottles, plastic wrappers, and forgotten mystery items. To celebrate Earth Day and practice tikkun olam, I spent an afternoon picking up trash near the creek. As someone who loves the Park, I try to practice Steph’s family motto and leave it better than I found it when I visit, even if that means just picking up one piece of trash. When you dedicate an hour to it, you’ll be amazed at how quickly that trash bag fills up!
Photo by Amanda Roberts.
Helping Our Pollinators- Amanda
Last year, I invested in landscaping with native Virginia plants and flowers. For Earth Day this year, my daughter and I wanted to expand on our garden to include more plants attractive to pollinating insects such as bees and butterflies. We went on an adventure to purchase seeds from our local garden store and planted them along our yard. Now, we’ll be waiting to see if any germinate. I’m hoping our garden will help keep the pollinator population thriving!
Tremayne poses with his wife and one-year-old daughter after picking up trash in the neighborhood. Photo by Tremayne Nez.
Neighborhood Cleanup – Tremayne
Every neighborhood has some sort of municipal code on street litter and waste. However, despite our best efforts to reduce our neighborhood litter, there will be a piece that escapes us, especially with active construction going on. My neighborhood had many construction projects this past year, with new homes and townhomes being built. Unfortunately, with the few remaining projects left, my front patio is now a favorite spot for the blowing construction debris. I started to grow frustrated when I would open my front door to find another piece of trash waiting for me to pick it up.
This year, I decided to celebrate Earth Day by doing my part to clean up my neighborhood. I love to take walks around the area with my wife and one-year-old daughter. We usually take our time to enjoy the cool breeze and warm sun. I now take a small garbage bag for our walks, so whenever we stumble upon a piece of garbage blowing around the street, I run it down and place it in the bag.
Keeping our neighborhoods clean is not only visually pleasing it is also a great way to keep our community and local habitat safe.
Photo by Andrew Curtin.
Anacostia River Cleanup – Andrew
Every summer, I try to get in as much kayaking as I can. Near me in Washington, DC and further out into Maryland, Northern Virginia, and West Virginia there are some pretty spectacular places to launch. But one of my favorites – often overlooked – is along the Anacostia River. While the Potomac can get you some great views of the monuments, the Anacostia is by far the best way to find wildlife within the District – there are always plenty of turtles, herons and cormorants out and about, and I’ve even seen a couple of ospreys. This year, I’m supporting the Anacostia Watershed Society’s Earth Day cleanup efforts to help restore and protect this beautiful natural resource for future generations.
Photo by Virginia Quiambao Arroyo.
Farmers’ Market Fun – Virginia
I lived most of adult life in New York City or Washington D.C. and took full advantage of every farmers’ market I could find. Since moving to the suburbs of Virginia, I lost sight of frequenting farmers’ markets but recently rediscovered my love for them. I try my best to buy our produce and meat from farmers’ markets. It has also been a great opportunity to spend time outdoors with friends during COVID and has become a Sunday ritual for my daughter Selena and me. When the Dale City Farmer’s Market is in full swing, the produce options are endless!
Herbs growing in the AeroGarden. Photo by Ashley Dobson.
Reducing My Food Waste – Ashley
I read recently that if food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases behind China and the U.S. I love to make new recipes or have themed food nights, but a lot of these one-offs meant I was not using the items I bought to their fullest potential. I’ve spent the past year putting more of a concerted effort toward reducing my food waste and for Earth Day this year, I want to make that commitment public.
I’ve been making it a personal challenge to plan my meals ahead of a grocery run to ensure I am only getting what I need and that I’ll be able to eat it while the food is at its freshest. I’ve also made the most of my refrigerator and freezer space to support this goal. I organize my fridge with the items to eat first in the front and often split items from the package to save half in the freezer. I love sandwiches, but as the only person eating gluten free in my household, I can’t eat a full loaf of bread before it spoils. Taking advantage of the freezer has extended the life of my loaves and meant that I don’t waste a single slice.
My husband bought me an AeroGarden for Christmas and I have loved growing my own basil, mint, thyme, dill, and parsley. The packaging that fresh herbs come in from the grocery store is often wasteful and it spoils quickly. Having easy access to it has kept me in a steady supply of pesto and offers me different ways to vary up the meals I plan for the week. I also repurpose food scraps, regrowing items like green onions and lettuce.
All of these strategies have had added benefits beyond conservation and reducing my food waste. I save money by only buying what I need, time because I’ve already made a meal plan, and I’ve also reduced my use of single-use plastic because of these efforts. My individual impact is small, but paying attention to my own food waste has been a wake-up call and brought my attention to advocating for more large-scale changes that can be done.
Photo by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
We’re less than a week away from the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony. At my house, that means we are catching up on all the nominated films.
As I’ve watched, I’ve been struck by how many lessons for improving public involvement processes can be found throughout this year’s slate of films.
Inclusive Engagement
Judas and the Black Messiah is based on the true story of FBI informant William O’Neal and his role in the 1969 killing of Fred Hampton, chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party. This Best Picture nominee shows the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion and community-led outreach. And this message resonates just as powerfully today as it did while Hampton was alive.
A community-led approach to public involvement means actively listening to the community you are working in about their needs, planning collaboratively with community members, and modifying and reshaping activities based upon community input. The community must be actively involved in defining and measuring outcomes.
In the film, we see Hampton’s Black Panthers work to form the multiracial Rainbow Coalition, a powerful force for community-led action and change. If government officials had tapped into this network instead of opposing it as they did at the time, results could have been wildly different.
One Night in Miami, up for three Oscars including Best Supporting Actor, builds on this theme in a quieter way. The film fictionalizes a real-life meeting of Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke in February 1964. They are four men coming from different perspectives, but they have the same goals when it comes to combatting systemic racism.
Public involvement processes too often only do the bare minimum when it comes to diversity, asking one person to represent an entire population or group. Their conversations in the film remind us to celebrate the diversity in experience and approach, making sure to reach and include the most comprehensive audience possible.
Both films highlight the desire of and need for marginalized communities to have a seat at the table. In the public involvement process, it’s important for us to evaluate the processes we have in place and make sure they include all individuals—especially those who have historically been left out of the planning process.
Accessibility from All Angles
When we think about inclusion, we also need to consider accessibility in all facets of our public engagement process.
Crip Camp, my pick for Best Documentary, provides a very enlightening look into the development of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To me, it was very eye opening to see what conditions people with physical disabilities were faced with prior to the passing of this act.
But it’s not enough to just be ADA-compliant. The process to get accommodations should be simple, clear, and prominently displayed.
The Sound of Metal, which is nominated for Best Picture, also stresses the importance of accessibility. The film follows drummer who loses his hearing and who must learn to adapt to his new reality.
The most striking piece of this film to me was how crucially it stressed that disabilities are not deficiencies. We should approach accessibility in public involvement with this same mindset. It should be built in from the very beginning, not be an afterthought.
A Safe Place for Free Speech
The public involvement process with environmental planning is often seen as the place to express opposition or support for a project. While we know that typically the process is not a vote, the general public can sometimes use it to rally opposition for a project and we can sometimes see meetings become contentious and attract protests.
The Trial of Chicago 7, a nominee for Best Picture, highlights our responsibility to provide a safe place for people to express their First Amendment rights. The film offers a dramatic retelling of the trial of the antiwar activists charged with inciting a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, known as the Chicago Seven. The entire story provides a blueprint for what not to do.
If I expect protests for a project, I work with my clients to develop security plans in partnership with meeting venues to ensure there is a safe place for expression of first amendment rights and everyone knows what to do if things should escalate. I’ve also seen success working directly with protest organizers to understand their plans and to inform them of the meeting ground rules.
Ensure Transparency
When you know you might face pushback, it is tempting to want to limit the information flow. Over the years, I have had many conversations with clients that are afraid to share information because they are worried about the ramifications. Transparency not only contributes to equity, but it often leads to better results overall.
Collective, an Oscar nominee for Best Documentary, offers an extreme example of the power of the open sharing of information. The film is based on a 2015 fire in Romania that immediately killed 27 people and injured more than a hundred others. Four months after the fire, the death toll had risen to 64, partially due to the lack of proper healthcare and negligible medical care at the public hospitals. The documentary explores public healthcare fraud, corruption, and maladministration.
For me what stood out about this documentary, is not just the horrifying and haunting footage of the disaster itself, but the way the Minister of Health opened his doors to the documentary film crew. They are showing everything in the wake of this disaster, the corruption and cover ups. He even admits the country is not equipped to handle severe burn cases and, at one point, asks a member of the public for advice on how to solve this problem. His transparency empowers the general public and subject matter experts to weigh in on crucial decisions. This documentary is an extreme, but it shows how trust can be built by sharing information that would have otherwise perhaps been covered up.
Lessons for public engagement can be found all around us, even in pop culture. Did you have any takeaways from this year’s Oscars slate?
April is Water Conservation Month, and the Avid Core team is committed to doing our part to secure safe, affordable, accessible drinking water for all communities and future generations. This month, we are donating to DIGDEEP, a non-profit organization working to provide rural communities in America with clean running water. We encourage you to join us to see where you can help—financially or otherwise—and to seek help when you need it.
Many of us take our access to potable water for granted. Take a minute to think about where your clean water comes from and how it gets to your faucet. It’s a hidden journey that only seems as easy as turning the tap on and off.
Experiencing life without the faucet changed my perspective on consumption and waste. I grew up on the Navajo reservation and my grandparents did not have running water. Clean water was hauled from a well several miles away and stored in barrels, eventually used to drink, clean, and cook. My grandparents survived on about eight gallons per day compared to the national home average of 350 gallons per day.
During the summer months, water was essential and not to be wasted. I remember spending time as a kid bringing in heavy five-gallon water jugs into their hogan (traditional Navajo home) to ensure that they had enough clean water to drink. Today, my Masaní (maternal grandmother) still does not have running water, and whenever I visit her, I bring in those same five-gallon jugs to make sure she has what she needs.
During the past year, my community suffered greatly from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to other inequities, the virus has highlighted significant gaps in water resources among tribal communities and prompted the community to conserve our water to sustain health measures. Even beyond the pandemic, practicing water conservation is an effective method for us to maintain our water supply for future generations and for rural communities to access for future use.
Clean drinking water is an extremely sensitive resource and not an unlimited one. To help put it in perspective, only 2.5 percent of the earth’s water is freshwater, of which 1 percent is accessible for drinking, agriculture, irrigation, and power generation. With dwindling sources of fresh water and fast-growing populations, we must do our part now to conserve this sensitive resource.
Photo by Tremayne Nez
In my Navajo culture, water is a sacred resource. We have a phrase, “tó éí ííńá” (water is life) that you will likely find painted on windmills across the reservation. Water, to my people, is considered the very essence of life and existence. When we all take steps to conserve our water, we not only secure the long-term supply for future use, we sustain life for future generations.
What does it mean to conserve water?
Conserving water means to practice using water more efficiently to reduce waste. Practicing a low water use lifestyle helps to maintain our current water supply, helps the environment, saves on energy costs, and allows for future needs.
So why conserve now?
According to a Government Accountability Report, 40 out of 50 state water managers expect water shortages by 2024, highlighting the need to conserve water usage. Bodies of freshwater across the United States have supplied Americans with freshwater for years but changes to the climate, such as more frequent longer-lasting droughts and less precipitation, have shifted the attention to a more conservative approach. Across the western U.S., aquifers are depleting quickly due to high demand.
What can you do to conserve?
This is a significant problem that will take cooperative and comprehensive solutions to solve. While we know individual actions will only play a minor role, we believe that taking small steps matters. When we all make small changes in our daily lives together, we can create lasting change in maintaining our water supply for all to enjoy.
Here are some practical strategies you can take today:
When washing your hands, turn the faucet a half turn instead of a full turn.
When brushing your teeth, turn off the tap between rinsing.
Install low-flow aerators designed to reduce the amount of flow and save on cost.
Check for toilet leaks by placing a few drops of food coloring in the back of the toilet; if a leak is present, you’ll see the color in the toilet and you’ll know to change the toilet flapper. Leaky toilets can waste 200 gallons per day.
Water your lawn only when necessary and avoid watering on windy days.
Collect rainwater to water indoor plants.
Only run full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine.
Consider replacing old home equipment (washers, dishwashers, water heaters, toilets) with newer, more efficient appliances. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), households can all reduce their water waste by 20 percent by installing water-efficient devices and fixtures to prevent dripping.
When practicing conservation in my own life, I feel inspired and empowered to start thinking of the more significant ideas and solutions.
Let’s take these steps together this Water Conservation Month and work toward securing safe, affordable, and accessible drinking water for all communities and future generations.
PlanRVA recently selected Avid Core to support the development of community outreach and engagement strategies to address current and future needs related to transportation, environmental planning and emergency management.
Virginia-based Avid Core partnered with Kearns & West, ONE EIGHTY, and Burford Advertising for this effort, bringing together talented community engagement and strategic communications experts from four woman-owned small businesses. The Avid Core Team will work with PlanRVA to implement inclusive strategies, shift organizational culture, and bridge diversity and equity gaps to best serve the greater Richmond community.
“As a company that specializes in diverse and comprehensive public outreach, Avid Core is well positioned to help PlanRVA achieve its mission to make connections that make an impact on the region’s residents and link people to one another, to places, and to resources,” said Avid Core co-founder Amanda Roberts.
“Most innovative, comprehensive, and viable solutions happen when there is equitable participation. We are ready to build strong community engagement plans to get stakeholder input on transportation, emergency management, and environmental planning in the Richmond Region.”
PlanRVA is the only organization where representatives from each of the Richmond Region’s nine localities can come together to analyze, plan, consult, and collaborate. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the agency made a commitment to public accessibility and highlighted its priorities for inclusivity and equity.
To kick off our work with PlanRVA, the Avid Core team is creating an agency-wide community engagement strategy. The strategy is rooted in feedback from a diverse group of stakeholders, including local tribes, community groups, and minority-owned businesses.
“Our team brings decades of experience engaging with historically underrepresented communities and Tribal Nations in our work with federal, state, and local government clients,” Avid Core co-founder Virginia Quiambao Arroyo said.
“Our strong program management qualifications and emphasis on collaboration and coordination offer PlanRVA the right blend of expertise for comprehensive and equitable outreach.”
Avid (adjective) – having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something. It’s more than just our company’s namesake. Passion for our work and for the things we love is part of our core values. Each month we’ll share some of the things we’re Avid Fans of with you.
Spending an increased amount of time at home and online since the pandemic started has motivated us to explore new outlets, hobbies, and activities that don’t involve screen time. Check out some of the ways we’ve been using our time that doesn’t include work or binge-watching The Crown! Sometimes logging off is just what you need to recharge and reconnect with yourself and loved ones.
Ashley — Books, books, and more books!
In effort to stop doomscrolling on Twitter right before bed, I started making it a practice to read a physical book for at least 30 minutes every night before going to sleep.
I’ve since expanded way beyond those 30 minutes. I think I’ve left a permanent dent in my couch that resembles my favorite reading position. If you need to find me on any given weekend morning, I’m likely sipping coffee and reading the book of the day in that spot. And if you need me on any afternoon, I’m likely sipping wine (or an Aperol spritz) and reading on the couch or outside on the porch.
I’ve always been a voracious reader but during this pandemic, it has provided me with a much-needed escape. Through books I have been able to travel to far off lands, fictional and real, explore different perspectives and lived experiences, and make friends between the pages. I have read from practically every genre and have laughed, cried, and fallen in love many times over. I’m always down to talk about books you’re reading, to offer and receive book recommendations, and to obsess over my favorite characters.
I’ve read 145 books since March 2020 and have no plans to slow down this year. It’s a habit I hope sticks around even after I can have an in-person social life again.
A few of my favorite books I’ve read over the past year Photo: Ashley Dobson
Amanda — Running!
In middle school, we would have to run a mile every week. I hated it. Even though I consistently finished toward the top of the recorded times for the girls, I thought running was boring and hard work. Then, about 10 years ago, I discovered fun runs—5k courses that involve obstacles, costumes, mud, and other fun challenges. Now that I wasn’t so concerned about getting a top time, I found running to be a nice break away from the gym and a way to explore the outdoors. While this post is about no screens, new running apps do keep me motivated by my friends who post their own runs and give me kudos for mine. And my children are taking after me — every night after dinner, they run around the house in a short race to get their energy out before bed.
Photo: Amanda Roberts
Virginia — Cooking….kinda!
I have never been a fan of cooking and am not sure I will ever “love it.” But I have found much joy in spending time with our nieces and nephews. We’ve created our own little “quarantine pod” and I have really enjoyed making traditional Mexican food like “lengua” (cow tongue) tacos and have even made beans from scratch. Most recently, we started dying empty egg shells to make cascarones for Easter. We had breakfast for dinner and it was a hit. I’m looking forward to trying traditional Filipino dishes such as lumpia and pancit. I’m discovering a love of recreating the joy my late aunts brought my cousins and me through their cooking. I loved big family gatherings growing up and I hope to create similar good memories for my kids and their cousins.
Photo: Virginia Quiambao Arroyo
Steph – Parks, trails and unique gardens
Living in a house full of high energy and curious adventurers has motivated us to venture out to new outdoor spaces on a weekly basis. We’ve learned that it is essential to pack a bag full of snacks, masks, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, drinks, bubbles, and a picnic blanket if we want to make the trip a success. Our recent adventures included Hillwood Estate’s gardens, Nanjemoy WMA to find shark teeth, Brookside Gardens to learn about the plant species, and visiting the Tidal Basin. When we don’t want to hop in the car, we’re fortunate enough to ride our bikes to new stretches of Rock Creek Park. The fresh air combined with the ability to explore has been a great way for us to learn about the incredible history and culture in the DC area.
Hillwood Gardens in Washington, DC Photo: Stephanie Mace
Nanjemoy WMA in Charles County, MD Photo: Stephanie Mace
Tremayne — Wallyball!
Over the past few years, I’ve developed an interest in the sport of volleyball. I’m not very good, but thanks to some friends, I can participate and compete in the local city league. Since the COVID-19 outbreak last year, there have been no league games, and local gyms are closed to all team sports. I really missed the competition, the fast-paced action, and enjoying times with friends while getting a good workout.
Recently, my brother invited me to play wallyball. Wallyball is like volleyball but played on a racquetball court with the net at a similar height and a rubber ball similar in size to a volleyball. It follows the same rules, but instead of a line-boundary on the court, the wall is the boundary. The wall adds another dimension to the already fast-paced sport and can get intense quickly.
It took a little while for me to get the hang of it. After embarrassing myself by running into the wall a couple of times and getting hit in the head with the ball, I started to understand the gameplay and enjoy it. The sport is a strategic game as much as it is active and tests your hand-eye coordination, agility, balance, strength, and timing. It is an exciting game, small enough to be played with two to six players. If you enjoy recreational sports, consider taking up wallyball. It’s a great way of getting in exercise while maintaining social-distancing and playing with others.
Photo: Tremayne Nez
Hana — Furniture upcycling
Since quarantine began a year ago, I have become a dedicated watcher of DIY YouTube home renovation and design videos. What started as one random recommended video turned into a slight obsession. I was living at home after coming back early from studying abroad and working from my childhood bedroom and I decided it was time for a room refresh. After doing some research, I marched to Lowe’s, picked up some paint, borrowed a sander from a neighbor, and got to work! I upcycled an old, unused desk in our house so I could have it for my remote summer internship, redid a dresser that was in my room since I was a baby, and helped my brother redo his kitchen cabinets in his new house. Although I ran into plenty of challenges along the way, it was so rewarding to learn new techniques, try out new tools, and see each piece come together. These projects made me more passionate about extending the lifecycle of furniture, clothes, and appliances to minimize trash and waste. I can’t wait to tackle more in the future!
Photo: Hana Chabinsky
Photo: Hana Chabinsky
Andrew — Homebrewing
This past year I’ve been getting more and more into making my own beer. I like experimenting with weird flavor combinations and being able to brew my own means I can get way, way more creative than anything you can find in a store. Of course, this freedom has resulted in some great and some not-so-great beers, but I like to think I’m learning what works. For their part, my friends and family have been excellent—and patient—taste testers.
Right now, I have a Jalapeño-Harissa Saison in the fermenter – don’t worry, I didn’t use the whole jar of spice!
“I have been mulling over this message since the onset of the rise of violent crimes and deadly attacks against Asians and Pacific Islanders. I referenced past and recent instances of my family being attacked or ridiculed with anti-Asian sentiment. I wrote about the trauma that comes with being terrorized for simply existing, for being the subject of someone’s deep-rooted hate or fetish. I wrote about how it is possible and why it is important to stand against anti-Asian hate crimes without criminalizing black and other brown communities. I went down so many rabbit holes on various topics because I felt the need to educate and explain, but I realized that it cannot be done in one message or blog post. This feeling of defeat and hopelessness is even further compounded by the terrorist in Atlanta unveiling that he sought to eliminate outlets that contribute to his sexual addiction, further exposing the vulnerability that women, especially women of color, face day-to-day.
We must remind ourselves that racial and gendered hate crimes, violence, and murders are a long legacy and the collaborative work to eradicate it never ends. I hope everyone impacted has the love and support needed to heal from the senselessness.”
— Virginia Quiambao Arroyo, Avid Core Co-Founder
Avid Core stands in solidarity with the Asian and Pacific Islander community. We denounce and condemn the hate crimes and racist attacks against Asians perpetrated this week and in recent months across the U.S.
Avid Core reaffirms our commitment to the collective effort needed to effect change.
We will continue to grow our allyship with the Asian and Pacific Islander community through enforcing our anti-discrimination policies, maintaining a safe and healthy workplace culture, creating spaces for co-workers to support each other, and speaking out and intervening when we witness discrimination.
Avid Core recognizes that to effectively address anti-Asian racism, we must also work to end all forms of structural racism leveled at Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other communities of color. We pledge to continue putting our founding values of inclusivity, integrity, and equity into practice.
In memory of the six Asian women murdered in Atlanta on March 16, we are donating to Futures Without Violence and the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence.We are also donating to Stop AAPI Hate to support their continued efforts to track and respond to the surge in racism and xenophobia. We encourage you to join us to see where you can help—financially or otherwise—and to seek help when you need it.
Avid Core, along with our close partners at Cogstone Resource Management, celebrate the historic appointment and confirmation of Secretary Debra Haaland.
We believe Secretary Haaland will continue the vital work at the Department of the Interior while fostering effective dialogue and ensuring representation for Indigenous communities.
As public outreach consultants and archaeologists, we offer few recommendations for Secretary Haaland to improve discussion efforts and foster authentic and honest relationships with Tribal Nations.
The letter below was sent to the new Secretary following her appointment:
Dear Secretary Haaland,
Congratulations on your historic appointment as Secretary of the Interior. With this appointment, the Department of the Interior is in a unique position to incorporate Indigenous perspectives on critical issues such as social injustice, responsible protection of ancestral tribal lands, climate change, and federal-tribal affairs, which have long been overlooked.
As you are aware, the Department of the Interior is responsible for managing our country’s natural resources, federal and public lands, and honoring the Federal Government’s trust responsibilities to American Indian, Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native nations, organizations, and villages. However, a deep mistrust overshadows the Indigenous community’s attitude toward the Government, specifically the Department of the Interior. Now is the time to rebuild that trust.
Tribal representation matters. As tribal and historic preservation consultants, we help government agencies rebuild relationships with tribal nations and organizations based on renewed trust. Communication challenges, non-existent tribal consultation, and ineffective policy implementation have left the Indigenous population powerless in the public policy decision-making process. As the Biden Administration and the United States Congress prepare to undertake new legislation to address social injustice and environmental issues, we are confident you will use your knowledge and experience to ensure that Indigenous leaders and tribal perspectives are present during these discussions.
To encourage successful government-to-government relationships, we offer a few recommendations on improving the consultation process and opening the lines of communication with Tribal Nations:
Work with federally recognized tribes to ensure they have the available resources to engage in federal consultation.
A recent Government of Accountability Office (GAO) study reported that some tribes do not have the existing resources to engage in meaningful consultation. Native American tribes listed many factors, including limited funding, the lack of staff, and high volumes of consultation requests with short deadlines, that have prevented thorough assessments of project consultation. We recommend your agency broaden the availability of resources to assist tribes as they engage in discussions with federal agencies. We ask that your agency identifies ways to support Tribal governments in their efforts to participate in consultation dialogue.
Although the federal government only needs to consult federally recognized tribes, we recommend including state-recognized and non-federally recognized tribes in the consultation process. Many state-recognized and non-federally recognized tribes lack the resources to start the federal acknowledgment process and thus remain unrecognized even though they continue to practice their cultural traditions and have Indigenous knowledge of the land. Under federal law, the Government is required to consult with experts. Tribal members from state and non-federally recognized tribes are the experts.
Be transparent and share detailed information on how tribal input is considered in public policy decision making.
In a previous GAO study, tribes emphasized a disregard of tribal relations. We recommend creating a standard information-sharing process that includes a post-project debrief for Tribal leaders. Tribal leaders would appreciate hearing information explaining that tribal concerns were addressed and accommodated, even if project planning does not favor tribal interests.
Provide Tribal leadership with direct access to Department leadership during the consultation process.
As sovereign entities, Tribal leaders are responsible for decision making for their tribe. For the tribe, this is the equivalent role as the President of the United States. We believe you understand the importance of showing respect to the Tribal leader by having Department leadership or other high-ranking officials with decision-making power participate in tribal consultations.
Develop a tribal consultation policy to accommodate rural Indigenous communities.
A recent Census Bureau study estimates that over half of Native Americans living on rural tribal lands do not have access to essential wireless broadband services. The lack of internet connectivity for tribal members presents difficulties when engaging in virtual consultation. Many tribal members rely on their mobile phones for online services but lack available service areas and struggle with unreliable cellular coverage. When federal agencies hold online webinars or request online public comments, they disproportionately exclude tribal members who do not have broadband access. While there have been significant improvements to communications funding on tribal lands, we recommend that your agency develop public outreach and consultation policies designed to include rural tribal community members who do not have internet access. General mailing services, text messaging systems, or public town hall-style meetings are ways for your agency to promote rural tribal communities’ inclusion in the consultation process.
We appreciate the monumental task before you and recognize that decades of structural inequity will not be dismantled overnight. As minority, women-owned small businesses, we stand ready to work with you to ensure Indigenous and marginalized voices are heard and considered through the Department of the Interior’s work.
Welcome to Around the Table, a regular series where we talk to people in our network and share the incredible work they are doing in their industry. Pull up a chair and join us for conversation and connection.
What drew you to the world of government consulting?
Government exists to serve its citizens and I felt I can make the biggest impact to society in this area. There are a lot of opportunities to improve government operations and services. You can say I’m a servant to public servants.
What do you think is the biggest challenge the industry is facing today?
COVID-19 and the extent of disruption to the economy.
In addition to running KLS&A, you also host a podcast, The Citizen Experience. What prompted you to get on the mic?
I love conversations on how we can improve operations and services. I realized that there wasn’t a platform where government and civic leaders can discuss what’s working for them so that their peers can adopt their successes in their local communities.
KLSA recently launched new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategic services. Why did you decide to expand in that direction?
We saw a need to help organizations that didn’t realize there was a problem until they saw George Floyd’s murder on all media platforms. I liken it to Emmett Till. It’s the unveiling of an underlying problem that has existed for centuries in this country. This country will never reach its full potential until all people, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, and sexual orientation are treated equally and equitably.
What’s the best advice you’ve received in your career?
“Kill King Kong while it’s a baby.” Meaning never let a problem grow until it’s an insurmountable problem.
When you aren’t working, what do you like to do?
Spend time with my family, watch basketball or football, listen to music, and write poetry.
If we were literally “around the table” right now, what food would you have brought to share?
Cocktail Shrimp
Interested in building a relationship and joining us around the table? Let’s connect.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsAccept
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
