By ELLIE VALLERY/Assistant Copy Editor
Freshman marketing major Chelsea Rivers spent hours propped in front of her computer screen in UT Tyler’s Muntz Library. After checking the time, she gets up and strolls to Harvey Lake.
Rivers wonders how the students here get involved.
Rivers is not the first student to wonder.
“I was on a camping trip last weekend with my roommates, and we talked about how difficult it is to learn about our environment in East Texas. We don’t know where to begin,” Rivers said.
This led to a trusted source.
The wisdom and expertise of Wendel Withrow provided insight into the questions. Withrow is an established attorney, author and environmentalist based in Texas.
“I used to think that since we have all of these great laws with everything taken care of, but the truth is, we still need people to protect the beauty that we have,” Withrow said.
It’s not universally known what environmental activism is.
“Any form of activity by environmentalists that is designed to raise public awareness of environmental issues,” according to Oxford Reference.
Environmental issues include deforestation and deprivation of natural resources.
After working in law for 10 years, Withrow read a book that inspired him to join a grassroots environmental organization called the Sierra Club. He blindly volunteered to become a photographer and became very involved.
His involvement led people to seek his help in legal cases involving nature and the environment. Eventually this grew and Withrow was heavily involved in environmental law.
The most noteworthy case was the Red Cockaded Woodpecker which concerned deforestation in East Texas. It involved prominent environmental lawyers including Ned Fritz.
“Ned Fritz was the lead counsel for the case, and he was trying to keep them from clear-cutting all the trees,” Withrow said. “And Ned was getting into his 90s, and so he and another group hired me to help him finish the case,” Withrow said.
He emphasized the importance of the case.
“Just the whole battle to keep us from cutting all of our trees and paving all of our green space. That’s a big, big part of our environmental history in Texas,” Withrow said.
Withrow gave UT Tyler students advice on how to get involved in environmental activism.
“I think East Texas—especially UT Tyler, and the other schools that are in Tyler—could really benefit from a green group. This has been big in the high schools, and I can’t see why it wouldn’t work at the university level, just forming a green club,” Withrow said.
Withrow suggests this can be a group of like-minded individuals who go on hikes and outdoor adventures in the area. The best camping spot is in Tyler State Park, which offers beautiful East Texas scenery.
The book “Best Tent Camping in Texas” written by Wendel Withrow. Due to his knowledge, he gave advice for which Texas parks UT Tyler students can explore.
“I believe Padre Island National Seashore, Monahans Sandhills State Park, Cap Rock Canyon State Park, Caddo Lake and Tyler State Park are the best hidden-gems in Texas. They have less crowds with just as much to see as bigger parks,” Withrow said.
The next step is to research issues and use your voice in social media and clubs to gain traction and awareness.
Withrow advises students to use their votes to support politicians who care for the Earth. If anyone loves parks and other natural resources, they can do their part to protect them.
UT Tyler Rec Sports holds outdoor adventures on a regular basis. This is the best way to get involved, according to Withrow. UT Tyler outdoor adventures visit places such as Buffalo River and Caddo Lake.
Students can join these trips for free.
Rivers went to Tyler State Park every weekend last semester. She said it was the best outlet to keep her mental health in check as a college student.
Rivers is inspired to learn more and take action.
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