Welcome to Behind the G! This is a Georgia Way platform that shares student-athlete stories, hobbies, and what is important to them. To the world, student-athletes are viewed by their outcomes in their sports, but they are so much more than that. Our goal is to share with the world in their own words who they are as people, and the numerous ways they represent the G on and off the field.
If you know me, you know that I absolutely love nature. Starting in my childhood, I had the privilege of being exposed to a great variety of ecosystems and sustainability-minded mentors that curated my passion and love for environmentalism. Growing up in Guatemala and Argentina, I was able to explore rainforests, climb active volcanoes, and tour ancient ruins from civilizations past.
Although I had a variety of influential people in my life, I attribute the beginning of my environmentalist journey to Señora Ana, my fourth-grade Spanish teacher at the American School in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It was in her class where I first learned about the three basic R’s of sustainability: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle. Almost every major project and assignment in that class was not only designed to increase our Spanish skills, but also to increase our environmental literacy. Through her class and since then for the past 12 years, I have been educating myself in all things environment related.
Fueled by this knowledge and passion for Mother Earth, I decided to specialize my collegiate studies to go into a career of sustainable policy and environmental conflict management. After all, we would not be able to participate in sports if there is no place to do them!
I have made a conscious effort to increase my own environmental literacy by simply going for a walk in a nature area, a park, or even around the neighborhood. I have taken some time to really look around, examine, and appreciate all the different species that make up my local landscape. I have become inspired by the singing birds in my backyard, the blooming trees around Stegeman Coliseum, and even the moss wedged in crevices on my way to practice. Let’s learn and work together to save Earth, it’s the only one we have.
Go Dawgs,
Alejandro Collins — UGA Track & Field
