Welcome Sadie!

Sadie Woodward of Rowley, paddling above, is joining Ipswich River as a volunteer policy intern. Sadie’s prior work includes working as a fellow for Senator Ed Markey and supporting her family’s outdoor gardening business. Sadie is a rising junior at Wheaton College, Massachusetts.

Hi! My name is Sadie Woodward and I’m a rising junior at Wheaton College, Massachusetts. I’m majoring in an independently crafted major called Environmental Studies. My major combines environmental science with political science, public policy, and government in order to pursue an environmental policy career.

This summer, I worked for the Markey campaign as a fellow. I learned a lot about Senator Markey’s environmental legislation, and what issues are prevalent at the national level. It is becoming more apparent we need strong action at both the local and national levels to protect our natural resources. 

One of the policies Ed Markey has passionately defended is the Green New Deal. This package of legislation is a great example of the kind of action we need at the national level. The Green New Deal outlines ways to create a market for green energy, reduce our carbon emissions, and create jobs. If communities like Ipswich and others on the North Shore take important steps to preserve our environment, it will start the push needed to bring about bigger changes all across the country. 

I am involved with a couple of youth-led groups that focus on the environment. I recently joined a wonderful group called Climate Cafes, run by a group of high school and college students in the Ipswich area to discuss climate change and the impact it has and will have in our region. In the short time I have been a part of the group. I’ve had in-depth conversations about what connects us to our environment and the intersectional issues that come with climate change. I’m also a member of the Sustainability Board at my college. They are currently working on a project using Eco Bricks to build flower boxes on our campus. Constructing the bricks reuses materials that would have otherwise been sent to a landfill. This is just one of the projects the board has done to create a more sustainable campus.

Growing up in Rowley, I spent a lot of time in Ipswich and Newburyport. I loved visiting the region’s many trails and beaches. Access to nature as a kid is one of the reasons I chose my current career path, and am now hoping to give back as a policy intern. Our region is one of many that faces the reality of frequent and severe droughts. I believe environmental policy is what will create important and necessary change. Where better to start than in my own community? When I look back at the work I did on behalf of the Ipswich River, I know I will be proud to have given back to my community and to be part of preserving the river for other generations to enjoy as I did.

UPDATE MAY 2021: We are thrilled to welcome Sadie to the Ipswich River staff as our Climate Policy Specialist!