In the whirlwind of academia, where textbooks and lecture halls often take center stage, it can be hard to make time for extracurricular activities. Levi Mitchell ’24, an environmental studies major with minors in history and economics, is not just juggling the academic chaos but setting it ablaze – literally.
Throughout his four years at Salve, Mitchell has worked in reforestation and wildfire firefighting, attended the 2023 United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference in the United Arab Emirates, held leadership roles in clubs on campus, played on Salve’s men’s ice hockey team and most recently – he is now an intern with NASA’s DEVELOP program.
With a schedule as eclectic as the journeys he embarks on, Levi Mitchell not only defies the laws of time management, but turns the spotlight on environmental activism.
From the great white north to Salve Regina
Originally from Alberta, Canada, Mitchell’s initial interest in the University was through Salve’s men’s ice hockey program. However, it was Salve’s unique oceanside campus — the opposite of his landlocked province in Canada — that sealed the deal for Mitchell.
Mitchell is also currently vice president of the Environmental Club, which connects Salve and local communities with conservation and restoration groups, and president of the Hydroponics Club, where they conduct research, grow produce and explore different avenues of hydroponics. While the activities within these programs are quite different, both clubs exemplify the meaning of environmental action.
Mitchell is part of the Hydroponics Club.
“You see why it’s important to be a steward of the earth and to take care of the people in your community,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell’s passion for environmental conservation has been nurtured through the dedication of his professors. He finds that Dr. Jameson Chace — professor and chair in the Department of Cultural, Environmental and Global Studies — sets an exceptional example for his students that resonated with Mitchell throughout his academic journey.
“He shares his passion for what for what he loves, and I’d recommend his courses to anyone,” emphasized Mitchell. “Even if you’re not an environmental studies or biology major, it’s just really awesome to see that example before you, and you feel like you can do the same.”
Setting roots in environmental action
Mitchell’s journey into environmental stewardship began at 18 with a summer of tree planting as part of Canada’s reforestation efforts in British Columbia. Progressing from a crew member to crew leader, Mitchell and his team planted over 3 million trees in the last three years. When the season wanes, he shifts his focus to wildfire firefighting.
Planting trees in Canada.
The experience underscored the dual significance of planting trees — not only as a fulfilling endeavor but also emphasizing the pivotal role in preserving existing forests.
“When you look at how ecosystems function and the services that a forest provides, you see that preserving forests is beneficial for not just people, but the larger ecological community,” said Mitchell.
Representing Salve on the global stage
As seen through his hands-on reforestation efforts, Mitchell understands the importance of putting words into action.
In November of 2023, Mitchell set flight to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates for COP28, the annual international climate summit hosted by the United Nations (UN).
During his time at COP28, Mitchell was able to witness conversations on climate justice from global leaders of businesses, space agencies, lawyers, communities, indigenous tribes, politicians, scientists, universities and more.
His experience in Dubai emphasized to him the importance of a global community.
“There were tens of thousands of people from different organizations all over the world,” described Mitchell. “To see the overlapping interdisciplinary aspects contributing to the mitigation of climate change really struck me.”
Mitchell at COP28.
One small step for man, one giant leap for environmental science
Now in his last semester at Salve, Mitchell’s impressive work in environmental conservation has landed him a research internship with NASA’s DEVELOP program.
The DEVELOP program aims to cultivate the next generation of leaders and Earth observers. The program works with communities and organizations to address environmental and policy concerns through the practical application of NASA Earth science information.
Mitchell devotes his time in the program to conducting studies on seasonal ice formation changes in Alaska, where he and his team utilize remote sensing technology, spatial data and ledgers to aid in ecological conservation efforts.
“Working with advanced technology in this great program to conduct research has the same output effect as my other jobs where you’re benefiting a community,” described Mitchell. “With NASA, I get to take my experiences a bit farther and see what those further applications can be.”
On paper, all of Mitchell’s experiences may seem quite different, but they all allow him to pursue unique aspects of environmental conservation through applying his broad knowledge and skillset.
A vision for a greener tomorrow
Throughout his senior year, Mitchell has been reflecting on the mercy mission more than usual.
“It is our grounding mission to not only be benefiting the earth through stewardship, which is something that I connect with most within our critical concerns, but also to help others,” emphasized Mitchell. “One of the great things about the mercy mission is that the applications are interdisciplinary — it provides not only a direction for our actions as an institution, but also our interactions with each other.”
As he begins to say goodbye to Salve Regina, Mitchell is open to the opportunities the world has to offer. As a lover of the outdoors, he feels there is a larger purpose to be found in environmental work and plans to pursue a life that feeds that larger purpose. However, his future isn’t completely set in stone.
“I plan on following areas that I’m passionate about, seeing where they lead and exploring all the opportunities,” he said.
Salve Spotlights is a series of people-centered stories periodically featured on SALVEtoday. Check out the tag Salve Spotlights for more stories.
