At the end of April, we welcomed a visitor from the People’s Republic of China who is one of six individuals invited to participate in 2015 on the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) Gold Star Tour, a special initiative focused on highlighting the impact the IVLP has on participants, their communities, and their home countries. Our Gold Star, Mr. Yongsong Chen, first visited the United States in 2001 on an IVLP looking at environmental sustainability.
He had a packed schedule of professional meetings, cultural activities, and volunteer opportunities. Along the way, he experienced a pre-derby party, had his first taste of hush puppies and fried okra, and was welcomed like member of the family into the home of Danielle and Christopher West.
His first day of appointments started with a meeting with Keith Wilkins and Chips Kirschenfeld of the Escambia County Community and Environment Department. They discussed the department’s work in local environmental protection initiatives and Mr. Chen’s work in China. They also took him on a site visit to Project Greenshores, a public-private environmental project that has transformed a stretch of polluted urban shoreline near downtown Pensacola into a beautiful natural habitat for fish and birds.
Mr. Chen then visited the University of West Florida for two meetings. The first was with the Student Environmental Action Society, or SEAS, where he met with President Connor Wagner and member Darian Bolen for a discussion about how the student organization advocates for environmental issues in the university and wider Pensacola communities. He shared his experiences with the students as well and encouraged them to continue their work.
The second meeting on campus was with Dr. Richard Snyder of the Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation. Mr. Chen was fascinated by the studies that this center has undertaken to document the effects of the 2010 BP oil spill on wildlife and habitats in the Gulf of Mexico. He was also pleased to hear that students can volunteer as researchers in the projects and practice presenting their findings to local governmental and environmental groups.
The first day wrapped up with the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council’s “Mint Jubilee,” a pre-derby membership party celebrating volunteers. Mr. Chen had a great time meeting locals and another group of IVLP visitors from Bangladesh. He then made the evening even more meaningful by sharing his thoughts on the importance of volunteerism with those gathered.
The next morning brought another speaking opportunity when Mr. Chen visited Creative Learning Academy, a local elementary and middle school. He toured the school and met with students, including a pre-kindergarten class whose students declared that they were going to visit him in China and bring their favorite toys for the journey. Adorably, they then proceeded to name the toys, one by one. Mr. Chen also addressed an assembly of middle school students, sharing his work and the importance of leaving no trash behind. Thank you to Creative Learning Academy Director of Development Marilyn Smith for facilitating this visit.
Then he was off to the Escambia County Department of Solid Waste Management where Dee Dee Green and Brent Schneider happily gave a tour of the Perdido Landfill, highlighting its many recycling outreach programs and its methane gas extraction system which conserves and reuses waste energy. Mr. Chen then traveled to the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center where teachers Molly O’Conner and Adam Bretschneider spoke about the science-focused field trips they host for elementary school students. They spent a lot of time exploring ideas and best practices, and contact information was exchanged in the hopes of further collaboration.
The day wrapped up with a visit to Pensacola’s City Hall where Councilwoman Sherri Myers officially welcomed Mr. Chen to Pensacola and highlighted the area’s history and environmental challenges. She then surprised him by presenting him with a certificate of honorary citizenship to the city.
On Saturday, Mr. Chen started bright and early when he returned to Project Greenshores to collaborate with Cleanpeace, a local grassroots environmental organization, for a shoreline cleanup with local volunteers. He enjoyed the experience immensely and shared his work with Cleanpeace founder Sharon Gincauskas as they worked together.
Mr. Chen’s last professional appointment in Pensacola was a visit to the Escambia Extension Office for a discussion of their environmental and educational programs and a tour of the new 4-H Center affiliated with the office. Extension Agent Carrie Stevenson led Mr. Chen on the tour and introduced him to many other resources involved in environmental and youth work.
We were impressed with Mr. Chen’s dedication to environmental education and with his enthusiasm for sharing his work and learning about the work of those who share his vision of a greener, healthier world. He truly is an outstanding asset to the IVLP program and is always welcome in Pensacola as an honored guest and friend
