"A New Perspective" - Farewell Thoughts from our Spring Intern

Written by RJ Baney, 2026 Spring Intern for The Sustainability Alliance

As I near the end of my internship with The Sustainability Alliance, I keep thinking back to how unsure I felt at the beginning and how different my understanding of this work looks now. I am truly grateful to Corey for giving me the opportunity to be part of this space, learn from the team, and experience what sustainability actually looks like in Tulsa. Before this, sustainability felt more like something I studied, something that lived in readings, lectures, and big ideas. But this semester changed that. I’ve been able to see it happen in real time, through conversations, events, and the people who are actively trying to make change in their communities

One of the first events I attended was Green Drinks back in January. I remember going in not really knowing what to expect, just hoping I wouldn’t end up standing awkwardly in a corner the whole time. But it ended up being one of those moments that shifted something for me. People were talking, laughing, and connecting, sharing what they were working on. It felt like a space people wanted to be in and be a part of. And for the first time, sustainability didn’t feel like something I was trying to understand from the outside. It felt like something I was stepping into.

As the semester went on, I started noticing that same feeling in other spaces too. Sitting in on meetings and just listening ended up being one of the most valuable parts of this experience. There is so much that happens in conversations before anything ever becomes visible.  It’s in those moments of people sharing ideas, asking questions, and working through different perspectives that the foundation of this work is built.

What stood out to me most was how meaningful those conversations actually are. They weren't just surface level or transactional, but thoughtful, sometimes challenging, and rooted in people coming together for something more. Being able to hear from individuals across the community and sit in those discussions showed me how much sustainability work depends on dialogue.  It’s not just about having solutions, but about creating space for people to share, listen, and learn from each other. That’s what allows the work to move forward in a way that feels genuinely driven by the community, built from the ground up through shared experiences and connections.  

Some of my favorite moments were the ones where I got to be more directly involved, both out in the community and behind the scenes. Getting to talk with UCO Students for Sustainability at Gathering Place was one of those moments that stuck with me. It wasn’t anything big, just a casual conversation and a small meet up. But there was something about connecting with other students who are in a similar place, all trying to figure out where they fit into this space, that made me feel more hopeful and that I’m not alone.

Helping Jill with registration at different events, where I’m sure you saw me struggling to find names on the registration sheet, along with supporting outreach and looking at poll data. I also had the chance to support Missy with the First Steps program, where I got to spend time out at Owasso High School working with Up With Trees and Cox Communications to help clean up, plant trees, and get their outdoor classroom ready for the spring. It was honestly so fun coming together, getting our hands dirty, and doing something for the community.

And then there were moments like sitting in on filming days for the Bellmon Award videos with Morgan. Getting to hear people talk about their organizations and how much Scor3card has helped support them in their sustainability journey. It was inspiring to hear their stories and the ways their teams approach sustainability, and how it continues to challenge them to keep improving year after year.

Looking back, I think what I will carry with me the most is how much this work depends on people and relationships at every level. It is not just one event or one initiative, but a combination of conversations, coordination, outreach, and people showing up in different ways. And that is what makes sustainability feel real and doable; it is built through all those smaller, ongoing efforts coming together overtime.

Thank you again to The Sustainability Alliance team for this wonderful semester, for your wisdom, kindness, support, guidance, and laughter, and to everyone else who continues to show up and do this work in their own way. It has been a really meaningful experience to be part of, and one that I will treasure as I continue moving forward in my journey.

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Farewell RJ: Thanks to our Spring Intern

rj@thesustainabilityalliance.org

We are excited to have worked with RJ Baney, our spring intern for The Sustainability Alliance! A senior at Northeastern State University majoring in Advocacy and Justice Studies, RJ focuses on environmental advocacy and brings a strong interest in sustainability and conservation.

Growing up in Tulsa and a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, RJ is passionate about local environmental initiatives. His studies at NSU have covered biodiversity, environmental change, and community engagement, reinforcing his commitment to a sustainable future.

RJ is particularly focused on urban sustainability and how organizations can adapt to create resilient, community-oriented solutions. During his practicum, he gained hands-on experience in event coordination and member engagement with our network.

We are grateful to RJ’s contributions to our team, including monthly newsletter segments, "Future Forward: Next Gen Perspectives".