Identity

Something I've been thinking about lately is personal identity, or identities. I'm a wetlands ecologist, therefore a scientist. I identify as a woman. I like to run, but does that make me a runner? It's all very complex.

I've seen a lot of arguing on Twitter lately about scientists vs who gets to claim being a scientist. Academia vs private/industry/government, like that somehow makes someone more or less of a scientist. In my opinion, neither is better, necessarily, though one category is better suited for the individual scientist. I don't like to hustle for money or want to get my PhD, so academia is not suited for me. I do like to work on projects and can run projects (just don't want to hustle for the grant money) so non-academia is better for me. To each their own, but why do we keep fighting about it?

Also, why do we keep fighting about who is vs who isn't a scientist? Do you do science? Then you are a scientist. The word scientist itself was formed to be more inclusive, so let's just be inclusive. If you do science and want to identify as a scientist (or not identify as a scientist and identify as something else) then go for it.

The same goes for other categories/identities as well, thought I don't often feel as comfortable claiming those identities as my own. I am a scientist, have been for years, and totally do identify as that.

I also do triathlons, but does that make me a triathlete? It does, but I don't feel comfortable describing myself that way for some reason. Same with running. I've run many events (including a marathon & an ultra marathon) but I don't describe myself as a runner. I love photography and really enjoy it, but don't really claim the photographer identity. I totally have a right to these identities, just like you have the right to whatever identities you want.

I think my real point is - if you do X activity, that gives you X identity, and then it's up to you if you want to claim it or identify yourself as such. There's also many other identities encompassing social, gender, and other areas. But mainly let's just stop putting others into boxes and just let everyone identify themselves how they wish to! Scientists included!

Conservation Book of the Month, July 2019: Grizzly Years by Doug Peacock

I forgot to post this earlier! As always you can join us in discussions in the Outdoor Conservation Book Club on Goodreads.

View this post on Instagram

July's OC book of the month is Grizzly Years by Doug Peacock. This book recounts Doug's 40 years working with grizzly bears and advocating for their conservation. I was just reading his biography and I want to be like Doug - scientist, advocate, conservationist, writer, and all around awesome person. I'm looking forward to reading this book this month! #ocbookofthemonth . Come join the book club on Goodreads for discussions about the monthly conservation books and to join the conversation! 📚 Link in bio 🌎

A post shared by @ outdoorconservation on Jul 1, 2019 at 12:05pm PDT

Shopping Ban: Month 9 update!

It's hard to believe that I've been on this shopping ban journey for 9 months now. It really doesn't feel like it and I almost don't even realize I've placed these restrictions on myself anymore. I am still aware of them and do my best to stay within them, but I don't feel actually restricted. Here's some examples.

1. I was down to my last pair of non-gym style shorts and in need. It's hot as hell here (almost literally) and I just can't make it all summer in jeans. So I went to a local secondhand shop and managed to find 3 pairs of shorts for $22! Normally one pair brand new would have cost me around that so it was definitely a win. Also they look brand new and nobody is going to know I didn't buy them new unless they come read this and ask me about it. 

2. I am allowed to buy things to replace items that are legit worn out, and I've now busted 2 pairs of field pants and 2 field shirts in the last few weeks so I bought 1 new pair of pants, repaired both of the pair I wrecked, and bought 2 new field shirts. I am not confident one of the repairs will last very long so another pair was definitely needed. And my long sleeve sun shirts lose UPF rating over time and I wear them constantly so I rotate out the older ones and buy 1-2 new ones every year anyway. Field gear is a weird category because I'm fine with buying used pants (but couldn't find any in my size) but want brand new shirts for max UPF protection. South Louisiana is brutal and I work outside all summer. Sun safe, y'all!

I'm also doing some fundraising for an exciting new adventure (which I will announce publicly soon!) and I'm offering some perks in exchange for donations. I've given myself a shopping ban hiatus on a few things so that I can achieve this goal. I needed photo mats, shipping envelopes, thank you note cards, and photo prints for this and went ahead and bought them. I don't think this counts as shopping, necessarily, because it IS for a project and it IS well thought out and it IS basically going to be gifts to people for donating to the fundraiser. So all that is fine in my opinion.

I also bought 0 books in June, but did immediately reach my $25 limit for books in July. I bought a digital copy of Bird Therapy by Joe Harkness and so far I LOVE IT. I also bought some books for the OC Book Club, used of course, from Thrift Books (which is possibly my favorite website ever after www.howmanyaltuves.com).  I have been heavily using the library for some research reading (yay public libraries!)

I have yet to purchase anything under the new Rule #3 of the shopping ban, which is to allow purchases from local artists. I have one in mind but have yet to pull the trigger on it. I tend to overthink purchases ANYWAY and this one is no different, even though it's allowed in the rules.

Keep being conscientious consumers and do your best to minimize your impact!