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Rachel Mackie

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Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Art
  • Environmental Science and Sustainability
  • Animals
  • Science

Reading

  • Drama
  • Fantasy
  • Novels
  • Realistic Fiction
  • Romance

I read books multiple times a month.

Bio

I've adored animals my whole life. This passion began with my childhood pets, then expanded to include the creatures I found outdoors. As I got older, I discovered the destruction humans inflict on the environment, the resulting loss of wildlife, and the implications of these losses. Our world is full of interconnected systems, and every species uniquely fills a necessary role within these systems. Through our actions, we have caused roles to empty, systems to fail, and our planet to sicken. We’ve caused many species to go extinct, and put more in danger of joining them. At the end of the day, humans are animals too. We have no more right to this planet than any of the other species living here. Therefore, we have a responsibility to rectify the problems that we created. I refuse to be a person who does not accept that responsibility. I am determined that my life will be spent repairing as much of the damage that my species has caused as I can. After I graduate from college, I am going to dedicate my career to saving animals and helping repair the damage my species has inflicted. I also plan to write books and educational materials that reach out to people and inspire them to care for the environment, however they can. Just as every species has a role to play in the Earth's systems, every person has their own role in healing our Earth. I have found my role, and I am working towards filling it. I hope that in doing so, I can help others find their role as well.

Education

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Bachelor's degree program

2022 – 2027

Majors:
  • Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
Minors:
  • Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

Polytech High School

High School

2018 – 2022

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management, Zoology/Animal Biology
Medical school interest:
No

Career

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Environmental Services
Dream career goals:
Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation
Has nursing license:
No
Future Green Leaders Scholarship
Systems are the foundation of life on our planet. Within each system, every component, whether it's animals, insects, fungi, bacteria, or even abiotic elements, plays a crucial role. If a component doesn't fulfill its role, the system becomes unbalanced and falls apart. Just as everything else on our planet, humans are a component of our Earth's systems. Our role is to live in a way that allows nature to thrive and use resources in a way that allows it to replenish itself, so future generations of all species can be supported. In short, it is our responsibility to live sustainably. However, our species has not fulfilled our role for many years, causing our planet to become unbalanced. Humans have heavily contributed to deforestation, pollution, high volumes of greenhouse gas emissions, and numerous other issues that have negatively impacted the environment. Our unsustainable activities, such as overfishing, consuming high amounts of single-use items, and fast fashion, have caused the planet's resources to be used up at a rate much faster than they can be replenished. Our species has upset the natural balance, heavily contributing to climate change, species extinction, habitat loss, and so many other irreversible impacts on our environment. However, there are still things that we can improve and restore, and it is our role to do so. I am currently a Wildlife Science major at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York. Completing my studies and earning my degree will give me the skills, knowledge, and credentials I need to fulfill my role. First, I want to work in rehabilitation, helping to nurture and heal the individuals who have suffered as a result of human actions, and to contribute to the research needed to restore their habitats and populations. Then, I want to work for an organization, such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service, that works toward conserving, protecting, and restoring wildlife populations and habitats. Throughout my career, I want to write books and materials that educate the public on the importance of wildlife and the environment. My writing will share my experiences, explain the importance of living sustainably, and share ways that anyone can do so. I want my work to not only contribute to restoring our environment, but to help people learn. Helping people understand the importance of sustainability is crucial, because professionals can work tirelessly to fix what we have ruined, but it won't make a difference for the future if more people don't start living sustainably. Just as the individual components of nature have crucial roles, everyone has a role in restoring and caring for our environment. I hope to fulfill my role while helping others find theirs.
Travel with a Purpose Scholarship
Rachel Mackie Student Profile | Bold.org