Earth Day Speaker Demonstrates the Impact of Collaboration

Earth Day at Belmont Hill is a true celebration, not only of the wonders of the natural world but of the successful work being done to preserve its splendor. As this year’s Earth Day Speaker, Jim McCarthy ’90 offered an example of what success looks like through his work removing dams across Oregon and the vast impact these removals have made in restoring river ecosystems and supporting fish populations vital to the region. 

“It’s easy to reflect on the state of our world and feel both overwhelmed and defeated by the magnitude of the problems confronting our planet,” said Science Department faculty member and Sustainability Coordinator George Sullivan. “Mr. McCarthy’s talk let us zoom in on a small set of victories in our efforts to make our world more sustainable.”

Mr. McCarthy works for WaterWatch from the Rogue Valley in Southwestern Oregon, with a particular focus on dam removals and the streams of the Rogue, Klamath, and Umpqua basins. Prior to joining WaterWatch full time in 2012, he provided environmental communication, lobbying, and grassroots organizing services as an independent consultant to clients including Earthjustice, Oregon Wild, and the Hoopa Valley Tribe. Over the course of his career, Mr. McCarthy has specialized in the Endangered Species Act, water policy, hydropower relicensing, and agricultural subsidy issues.  

The morning Chapel was the second of two events Mr. McCarthy headlined on campus. The night prior, he presented at the Science Department’s annual Conversations in Science Symposium, organized by faculty member John McAlpin. Open to educators from area public and private schools, the symposium embodies the grander ethos of collaboration so intrinsic to Mr. McCarthy’s work and solving sustainability issues. 

In the final slides of his presentation to the student body, Mr. McCarthy shared the full scope of the roles and jobs involved in the dam removal projects. The list included scientists and engineers but also lawyers, archaeologists, construction contractors, project managers, government and public relations specialists, and more, visualizing for the boys how many ways they can use their skills to leave the natural world a better place. 

“One of the great things about this work that I really cherish,” Mr. McCarthy reflected, “is that it gives people hope.”