MVP Activist Says You Don’t Need a Technical Background to Be an Advocate

Wild Virginia Old Dominion Eco Buzz

Environmental advocacy is a critical component of preserving the planet and mitigating the effects of climate change. Many people may be hesitant to participate in environmental advocacy because they feel that they lack the technical knowledge to make a meaningful contribution. However, it is important to recognize that anyone can be an environmental advocate, regardless of their background or expertise.

Gwyneth Homer grew up in southwestern Virginia and learned about the importance of being a community-member, on a human and ecosystem scale. From an early age, she valued justice, and was engaged in civic action, writing letters, or participating in marches. Today, she works in childcare, hoping to instill the values of justice, love, respect, and empathy by showing loving-kindness to the children. She continues to be involved in social and environmental justice work, especially fighting the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) since it runs through her county.

She joins Wild Virginia Virtual Coffee Talk to discuss the Clean Water Advocates Program, why she joined the course, and what she hopes to use from it against fighting MVP with organizations like Wild Virginia, Protect Our Water Heritage Rights (POWHR), and Appalachian Voices.