Environment Lethbridge is pleased to welcome Courtnay Sopko and Sophia Larney to our team. Courtnay will be with us until the end of the year and will be working as our Research Coordinator, leading our benchmarking project which will collect and analyze environmental health indicators for the City of Lethbrige. Sophia is with us for the summer and will be our Education and Outreach Coordinator and will be engaging with the community throughout the summer. We asked them some questions about sustainability, superheros and going back in time.
How long have you lived in Lethbridge?
SL:I was born and raised in Lethbridge, moved away when I was 16 for school and have been coming back for summers and Christmas ever since!
CS: Two years.
Why did you want to work with Environment Lethbridge?
SL: I’ve always been keen on maintaining, sustaining and preserving our environment. When the chance came up to promote and encourage environmental sustainability in my hometown I was definitely interested!
CS: I want to work for Environment Lethbridge because I saw how Environment Lethbridge is working to ensure that Lethbridge is a leader in sustainability. Since university, I have worked and volunteered with many environmental advocacy groups and being able to join an organization locally is a dream come true!
How would like to see Lethbridge be more sustainable?
SL: In order for Lethbridge to grow as a sustainable city, everyone has to be on board. I think it’s important to reach out to people who aren’t necessarily involved with sustainability to realize how important their contributions can be. Preserving our environment can be tricky if it’s just a few individuals working alone, we need to come together as a city and work collectively towards a sustainable future. And getting curbside recycling to happen, of course!
CS: I would like to see a city-wide curbside recycling program! This would be an accessible way for everyone to make our city more sustainable. In my dream world, I would also like to see Lethbridge utilizing grey water to water our lawns, flush toilets and wash cars!
What’s your favourite book?
SL: Sammy Keyes series by Wendelin Van Draanen. Started reading them when I was 7 and haven’t put them down since.
CS: This was nearly impossible for me to pick but I am going with the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. I am still waiting for my letter to Hogwarts…
If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?
SL: Teleportation.
CS: I would love to have the ability to fly! It would make travelling to visit friends and family so much easier.
If you could go back in time, what one thing would you change?
SL: Styrofoam! Who invented that? Silly invention, I would try to stop that from happening.
CS: I would want to go back in time and change the way early explorers and settlers treated aboriginal peoples and cultures as they settled in North America. Eliminating the discrimination and racism of the past would have a profound and very positive impact on our society.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
SL: Buy some plane tickets, pay my parents back.
CS: I would buy my parents their dream home.
Where is your favourite place in Lethbridge?
SL: The coulees! Specifically the Scenic Drive dog run. That or the front porch of my house.
CS: Pavan Park in the spring.
Describe your perfect day.
SL: Food, family, friends, dancing, sunshine!
CS: A warm and sunny summer day hiking in the mountains with my dogs.
Thanks to both Sophia and Courtnay and we’re looking forward to having them on board for the next few months!