The relationship enhanced Papp’s love of nature and inspired her to learn all she could about ecology and biology. Now she’s bringing that knowledge to WWF as a Panda Ambassador.
As an ambassador, Papp wants to work on connecting people to achieve the greatest positive impact on the environment. Her focus is on rallying people together to take on specific conservation projects together, such as conducting food audits to prevent waste, giving presentations about the state of the Arctic, and teaching steps individuals can take to reduce their carbon footprints. It’s important that people understand they each can make a difference in conservation.
New beginnings
The more Papp read about conservation issues and the environment, the more she wanted to play a role in protecting the planet and all who call it home—so much so that she decided to pursue an associate’s degree in sustainability. The choice is a reflection of her dedication to the planet; at 41, she’s already established and working full time as a paralegal. With this degree, she can see herself someday taking a position at an environmental law firm or working with companies to adopt more renewable energy sources in their operations and supply chains.
For now, Papp wants to help others understand how easy it is to live more sustainably. It can be as simple as buying certified sustainable products at the grocery store or biking instead of driving, when possible. She plans to reach out to classmates and friends to get them involved in conservation projects.
“It’s important to get the word out to people,” Papp said. “We need to have a resurgence of our love of nature.”
