Finding home: discovering place in a changing world

honors thesisCollege of Social & Behavioral ScienceEnvironmental & Sustainability StudiesDr. Michael GillsIn spring of 2010, I took a class called Global Environmental Issues from a professor in the biology department named Fred Montague, who had achieved a somewhat legendary status as a lecturer. He taught us science, the grim outlook of the environment, and the convoluted policies working against change. But he did so in terms of humanity. He uttered the word 'love' at least twice in every class session. He reminded us that we had chosen to pursue Environmental Studies degrees for a reason. I chose my degree program because I've fallen in love with places, many of which are threatened by our insatiable desire for outdated resources and increased wealth. My curriculum included a fair amount of technical information, and at times, rigorous course loads. Concurrently, I developed an interest in creative nonfiction writing with an emphasis on nonfiction in terms of scientific information and facts. I avoided writing about personal experiences because I wanted to write about things that 'mattered.' I soon realized that experience is the core of my being, and that the things that matter are really just the things I love. The following essays contain the reasons why I elected to pursue an Honors degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Utah. The information-dense papers that I produced for my courses in biology, ecology, and policy remain in my personal library. The work that I have chosen instead to submit to the Honors College explores my journey to the southwest, connection to place, and why it matters