Our members come to us with such varied skill sets and lived experiences. They complete service terms within our programs which offer an array of different projects, opportunities for growth, and the chance to network with industry professionals to break into new careers. It’s sometimes a challenge to explain what we do and who we are as an organization. Many people know us because of our trail crews—groups of 8-10 youth, young adults, and veterans who complete a variety of conservation service projects on public lands. Sometimes the amazing internships we offer through our Stewards Individual Placement Program (SIPP) go under the radar. Did you know we have SIPP members monitoring sea turtle hatches on the beaches of Florida, increasing economic opportunities for lower income communities living near Zion National Park, and researching the geology of massive caves in Lava Beds National Monument, just to name a few?

Recently, we connected with one of our Stewards AmeriCorps VISTA’s (Volunteers in Service To America), Aariyah Athanase, to learn about her work with the organization Friends of Virgin Islands National Park (FVINP). As a VISTA, Aariyah works alongside FVINP and collaborates with the National Park Service (NPS) to help strengthen the connection between the local communities and the park. 

A 22-year-old and native Virgin Islander, Aariyah is set to complete her year-long service term in November of this year, but recently signed on for an additional term. She was interested in the position because she noticed a disconnect between Virgin Islands National Park and the surrounding community she grew up in. “After graduation, I wanted to come home to learn more about my personal history and reconnect with my community,” Aariyah explained. “The NPS is the driving force in preserving historical records on the island. That’s why I was interested in working more closely with them. This position has helped me understand the relationship that my community has with the National Park.”

Before the pandemic began, Aariyah would interact with the community primarily by doing outreach with different groups, churches, schools, and nonprofits, to connect with community members and students and help FVINP strengthen their bond with the community. However, with stay-at-home orders in place, she needed a way to reach people remotely. Having recently graduated with a degree in animation, her passion for visual storytelling was a huge asset. “I grew up in a very big family. As a kid, I’d visit my aunts and they’d recite some of our local folk tales. That was an aspect of my culture that really fascinated me,” Aariyah recalled. “And I fell in love with animation by growing up watching Disney. I loved reading books, drawing, storytelling, all of that.” During her position, Aariyah has used her artistic talents and love for animation to create promotional and informational materials for FVINP. 

Aariyah’s illustration for a flyer that informs the public how to safely recreate at the beach during the pandemic.

Throughout her service term, Aariyah realized that community members felt more welcomed and at ease when there were native Islanders represented on park staff. That’s partly why she signed on for another term. “I’ve learned that the community would feel more comfortable if there were more native Islanders working in the National Park. That’s why I thought this position would be the perfect fit for me—someone who knows and loves the culture.” She also realized that working on the island as a VISTA would inform her artwork and help her grow as an artist. “I didn’t really know much about the history of my island. Working here, I get to learn more about it and it helps me think more about the things I want to do for my community.”

To learn more about becoming a VISTA with Conservation Legacy and the many opportunities within our Stewards Individual Placement Program, visit stewardslegacy.org!