Christina Neel - Warner College of Natural Resources

After graduation, Christina Neel moved to her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio to live near family for a gap year, and serve as the Sustainability Engagement Member through AmeriCorps at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, the 2nd oldest zoo in the country which continues to be a leader in sustainability. During her time at the “greenest zoo in America,” Christina shared the Zoo’s sustainability story and encouraged visitors to make their lives greener by creating fun and engaging programs on zoo grounds and at special events throughout the Greater Cincinnati area.

Her talks and class sessions included how to be a friend to pollinators, recycling, vermicomposting, and all-around green living. Christina does exciting things like hanging out with the Red Panda Lin, who teaches us about habitat loss in Nepal and China, and gets visitors involved in the Pollinator Photo Booth, where visitors can pledge to “Bee a Good Neighbor” in their bee stripes. Who knew hippos could help spark conversations about taking shorter showers and conserving water at home? She believes that through environmental education (with the help of some amazing animals), individual behavior changes can lead Cincinnatians to a greener future.

Beginning August 2017, Christina will be entering graduate school in the Master of City and Regional Planning program at The Ohio State University and working as the Planning Intern for the City of Westerville, Ohio (just north of Columbus). Her studies will cover many aspects of city planning, but her concentration is in energy, environment, and sustainability.

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