While the Climate Science Alliance is composed of a large, diverse network of stakeholders and community members - there is a core team working hard behind the scenes to connect the climate dots. We invite you to get to know our team and what drives them in this fun new series.
Team Member: Diane Terry
Position: Creative Program Manager
Describe What You Do With the Climate Science Alliance:
A simple way to describe what I do: I make things pretty! It goes deeper than that, however, as the Climate Science Alliance team really prioritizes effective communication with our audience - whether it be a Natural Resource Manager in San Diego, or a Climate Kid in Puerto Rico. Our climate change messages are important, and my job is to make sure that I can design our deliverables in a way that is effective and engaging.
As the Creative Program Manager, no two days look the same. Sometimes I am adding a new project to our website, other times I am designing an event program for print, and occasionally I get to create illustrations (My favorite so far? This sassy little California gnatcatcher from our Give Wildlife a Break project). Have you ever interacted with the Climate Science Alliance on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram? That was me on the other side of the screen.
There is one thing that is the same for me every day - I get to work with an awesome team that supports and inspires me.
Exploring new trails, with my trusty reusable water bottle!
Why do you do this work?
Climate change is the most important issue of our time. It impacts the lives of those who are close to me, and those who I will never meet. It is changing the landscape today, and will continue to change it for the next generation. I do this work because, simply put, I want to do something about it.
When I was in getting my Bachelor’s degree at UC Santa Cruz - go banana slugs! - I knew I wanted to do something to help our earth, but I wasn’t sure what role I would play in doing so. I eventually figured out that I love good design and science communication. I’m grateful I get to mesh the areas that I am passionate about, and call it my day job!
Of the 10 Things You Can Do to Protect the Earth - Which one do you commit to doing and why?
Picking a favorite “10 Things” is like picking my favorite cat - I have three, so that’s impossible. At the moment, I am focusing on one that I know I can improve on.
I have had a vermicomposting bin for about a year now and it’s fascinating to see how much waste I can divert from the landfill. One woman’s trash is, in this case, another worm’s treasure. Now that I have a lot of worm castings (a fancy word for worm poop), I can tackle #8 - Grow Plants for the Bees, Butterflies, and Birds! I am going to create a mini-pollinator garden on my apartment patio, and keep my soil healthy and nutrient-rich with the casings. If anyone has tips on how to maintain a mini-garden, I’d love to hear them!
What gives you Climate Hope?
Climate hope is always there, even on the worst days. The key to finding it is to keep your eyes and ears open. I find hope in peoples’ stories of resilience and adaptation, whether it be climate-related or not. We all have them, you just have to keep listening and keep your heart open to good news.
One of the three cats, in this case Sprout, often steal my chair whenever I get up.
What is Your Life Motto or Favorite Quote?
I’ve always loved this one: “The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” I think it's important to do things that are good for the earth, and for other people, without it being about ourselves.
What is the last thing you read, watched, or listened to that inspired you?
As it turns out, pandemics are pretty scary. Right now, I’m finding inspiration in the stories about the brave humans who are on the front line of the virus, and everyone else who is pitching in to help in any way they can.
Outside of the realm of COVID-19, I regularly listen to two podcasts that are pretty different from one another. Sidedoor from the Smithsonian Institution tells very niche stories from their collections. It feels like a behind-the-scenes tour every week. The second podcast is Ear Hustle, produced inside of San Quentin State Prison. It’s changed the way I look at a lot of things in life.
Sprinkling cover crop seeds at Coastal Roots Farm's Tu B' Shvat Festival.
What do you like to do for fun?
My dad recently handed me the keys to his ‘85 Westfalia Vanagon, a.k.a. Norm. Norm and I go way back - since I was a baby! Together we have learned how to parallel park and have traveled up the coastline and through deserts. If you know a thing or two about van life, you know they break down. Often. Call me crazy but I find that spending a day covered in grease and doing my best imitation of a mechanic is actually fun.
Tell us one thing on your bucket list.
I’ve always wanted to travel to the Galapagos Island. Namely for the Blue-Footed Boobies (I think they are hilarious).
Favorite meme?
To learn more about the Climate Science Alliance and the work we do, please visit us at: www.climatesciencealliance.org
A Santa Cruz adventure with Norm!