Championing Environmental Action Through Storytelling: Q+A with Taylor Ganis '23

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Taylor Ganis

Class of 2023
Environmental Studies, BA/Environmental Science and Policy, MS

You are the author of an environmental children’s book, Greeny La-Roo and the Earth Crew. What inspired you to write this book and what do you hope readers will glean from it?

During my time working as a naturalist for Westchester County Parks at Lenoir Preserve, I had the privilege of teaching children about the environment and the importance of protecting it. I quickly noticed that many existing children’s books with environmental themes focused on awareness, but not on action. As someone who believes deeply in empowering others to make a difference, I wanted to create a story that not only educated young readers but also inspired them to do something. To feel that they could be heroes for the planet, too.

That realization sparked Greeny La-Roo and the Earth Crew, designed to blend imagination, fun, and real-world impact. My hope is that children come away from the story feeling excited, capable, and ready to take small but meaningful actions to care for our Earth.

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You graduated from Pace with a combined Environmental Studies, BA/Environmental Science and Policy, MS. How did your studies inspire and prepare you for authoring this book?

My studies were instrumental to the subject matter in the book. I’ve always loved spending time outdoors, but it wasn’t until I began my academic journey at Pace that I truly understood how the places I cherished and the wildlife I was passionate about protecting were being impacted by a changing climate. Through my coursework in environmental studies and environmental science and policy, I gained a deeper awareness of the challenges facing our planet and the interconnectedness between people, nature, and policy. My studies not only provided the scientific foundation for Greeny La-Roo and the Earth Crew but also strengthened my lifelong mission to protect the planet for current and future generations.

You also host a podcast called The Hopeful Environmentalist. Please tell us more about that.

I started The Hopeful Environmentalist (THE) podcast in my college apartment while pursuing my master’s degree at Pace. At the time, I was overwhelmed by the constant stream of bad news about our changing climate and its impacts on people, animals, and the planet. I craved a space that focused on hope, the kind that inspires action instead of despair. As I dove deeper, I realized that while science and policy are essential to solving the climate crisis, they’re often not translated in ways the public can easily understand. So, I created THE to bridge that gap.

Today, the podcast, rated top 11 best environmental podcast in 2023, has listeners in over 35 countries. You can listen to it anywhere you stream podcasts/music.

In addition to being an author, what has your career trajectory been like since graduation?

After finishing my degree, I moved to Washington, DC, to intern at the White House Council on Environmental Quality under the Biden-Harris Administration. I then relocated to North Dakota, where I worked as a contractor for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on environmental policy, while also a social media assistant, podcast editor, and ultimately, communications coordinator for Our Climate. I soon realized how much I wanted to deepen my skills in storytelling and communication—so I began focusing on THE podcast. Through it, I’ve had the privilege of being invited to speak at the United Nations Conference on Biological Diversity and the UK Mission to the UN, as well as receiving media badges at EarthX’s Congress of Conferences and Climate Week NYC.

Next, I joined the Pace University Gale Epstein Center, where I currently work part-time on water policy initiatives, in addition to as a full-time social media coordinator at Vocal Media.

Through my coursework in environmental studies and environmental science and policy at Pace, I gained a deeper awareness of the challenges facing our planet and the interconnectedness between people, nature, and policy.

Why did you choose to attend Pace?

I was looking for a university that would not only provide a strong academic foundation but also offer opportunities to gain real-world experience and connect with organizations making a difference. The decision to attend Pace proved to be one of the best I’ve made. I gained practical experience in everything from field data collection to conducting informational interviews, and those experiences ultimately helped me earn an internship at the White House Council on Environmental Quality and has set my career in motion.

What activities and organizations were you involved with as a student?

I served as president of the NATURE Club, where I worked alongside a passionate group of students to create hands-on environmental experiences for the Pace community. We organized campus clean-up days, sustainability-focused events, and off-campus trips, including a memorable visit to the Wolf Conservation Center, to give students unique opportunities to connect with conservation organizations. Beyond the NATURE Club, I participated in the Environmental Studies and Science department’s Career Day, which introduced me to mentors and internship opportunities that helped shape the foundation of my career.

What were your experiences like in the Environmental Studies and Science department on the Pleasantville campus? What faculty had been instrumental in your journey as a student?

I truly loved my time in the Environmental Studies and Science department. Every professor I had played a role in shaping the environmentalist I am today by opening doors to opportunities I might never have discovered on my own. However, two professors who had the greatest impact on my journey were Professor John Cronin and Professor Michelle Land. Through their classes and mentorship, I gained a deeper understanding of the policy and advocacy side of the environmental field, a perspective that ultimately helped me secure an internship at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Their dedication to student success went far beyond the classroom, from organizing mock hearings to helping us build meaningful networks.

What advice would you give to our students, as they navigate college life?

Define your own path and stay open to where it may lead. Also, talk to your professors. Their mentorship and stories can open doors you didn’t even know existed. Further, take classes outside your major, explore topics that spark your curiosity, and seek experiences that fuel your passions, not just your resume. Most importantly, enjoy the process. College isn’t just about preparing for your career, it’s also about discovering who you are, what you care about, and what kind of impact you want to make.