Sage Furey, 2024-2025 Urban Conservation Fellow
From August 2024 – August 2025, AFC was lucky to host two Urban Conservation Fellows through the California Climate Action Corps, part of AmeriCorps which is now funded by the State. One of these Fellows was Sage Furey.
Sage’s time as an Urban Conservation Fellow was marked by a deep commitment to teaching youth, engaging volunteers, and soaking up knowledge at every opportunity. From leading dozens of field trips and hosting a nighttime bioblitz to participating in a prescribed burn workshop, Sage poured tremendous energy into becoming a stronger land steward and connecting more people to AFC than ever before. Their curiosity and unrelenting desire to learn has made them a strong advocate for our local wildlife.
We’re sad to be parting ways with Sage, but know we’ll stay connected as they embark on their next chapter with other local environmental organizations in LA. Thank you Sage!
Please read Sage’s thoughtful reflection on their time with AFC below.
MY YEAR WITH AFC
Sage Furey
Going into this Fellowship was a complete turn in my life career-wise. It has been a dream of mine since I was a child to be working in nature and supporting wildlife. I went to college to study natural science and political science in hopes of becoming a well-rounded individual who could understand the institutional barriers to protecting the environment. Timing was not in my favor, however, as I graduated university in the spring of 2020, right when COVID quarantines were underway. Like many others, my plans were stalled. I ended up working in a bakery and then in a public school as a classroom aide to make ends meet. Four years flew by and I found myself feeling disappointed by the trajectory of my life. This disappointment, combined with a deep yearning to reconnect with nature, led me to the California Climate Action Corps. I applied for the program and was offered a position as an Urban Conservation Fellow with Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy.
This past year with AFC has flown by, and it is bittersweet to even be writing this reflection. If there is one word that captures my time in this program, it would be “transformative”. The fellowship has been life changing. I’m deeply grateful for the wonderful people I’ve met, the invaluable knowledge I’ve gained, and the many moments that challenged and inspired me to grow. Each experience, whether planting milkweed with friends, in playful conversation with six year olds stumbling around on the trails, or in quiet reflection sitting underneath the snaggled branches of the old oak trees of Rosemont Preserve — reinforced a core belief of mine: nature is a mentor and there is so much to learn.
I am especially fond of the relationships I built over these shared experiences. There is a lot of compassion in this type of work. It necessitates some kind of good will, at the very least. Spending several hours under the sun, hauling tools and backpacks for relatively low wages isn’t for those without a deep passion for nature and a love for what they do. Because of that, the type of people that are attracted to environmental work have a tendency to make good coworkers, friends, and comrades.
I entered this program seeking to find my place in the conservation world, and I’ve emerged with a renewed confidence in my ability to advocate for the environment and engage others in that advocacy. I could not have asked for better guidance than what the AFC team has provided me. Looking ahead, I feel a stronger sense of determination, ready to face the challenges of working in urban conservation in a politically tense world. Thank you to the people, the land, the trees, rocks, water, and all the critters who’ve helped me grow and become a better human.
