Personal Sacrifices for Earthly Good with Samantha Zwicker

You’ve read our last post about Ava J. Holmes, the co-founder of our Fashion for Conservation (FFC) brand. But co-founding something means journeying hand-in-hand with a partner, and this partner is Samantha Zwicker.  

While wildlife destruction and climate change are problems that most fashion corporations are itching to solve, Sam used her nature-first orientation to start FFC in order to elephant-stampede these problems head on. Of course, in doing so, she had to have made many personal sacrifices she shared with me during this interview.

I contacted her via email quite some time ago, but because of her wifi (or lackthereof) and hundreds of emails regarding her PhD dissertation, her wildlife-first, non-profit Hoja Nueva, and other messages from her loving family, she just recently was able to see and respond to my interview questions. We’re just glad her priorities are straight!

On Her Love of Nature & Home

Sonja died of grief two weeks later, followed by my grandfather.

Suzi: I think most people feel the general love of nature, but you seem to have taken it to the top level. You co-founded Fashion for Conservation, founded Hoja Nueva, have a bachelors and masters in the study of the environment and wildlife ecology respectively, and are currently in the field getting your PhD. Where did your intense desire to help the Earth and wildlife come from?

Sam: Growing up I was always taking in strays and bringing baby wild animals into my house to rehabilitate, whether they were dogs, ducks, raccoons or owls. My first very personal experience of the human/nature dichotomy was when my grandfather’s trained arctic wolf was killed by a local farmer. The farmer feared that Bear was going to one day kill his chickens, even though Bear and his sister Sonja would roam my grandfather’s vast acreage daily and had plenty of food at home. Sonja died of grief two weeks later, followed by my grandfather. I lost three friends and this experience opened my eyes to the hatred and fear some have for nature and wildlife, a misunderstanding that is causing the demise of our natural world and therefore, ourselves. 

I went on to study environmental sciences, focused on wildlife ecology, and now work in human-wildlife conflict in Peru as part of my research and passion. My life goal is to create coexistence between people and nature before everything truly beautiful about this world is gone. 

Suzi: I’m so sorry that happened. I’m thankful you used that pain to start something good for the rest of the world. 

You now spend most of your time in Peru, with your PhD studies and Hoja Nueva. But what led you to focus your life in the country of Peru specifically?

Sam: The Amazon rainforest houses unparalleled biodiversity – over 10% of global flora and fauna reside here, including countless endemic species. It is also known as one of the most challenging environments to work in, especially if you want to study the elusive fauna. I came to this region of Peru because Madre de Dios is one of the last frontier rainforests but it is experiencing rampant deforestation and fragmentation from human activity. 

Since it holds no protective status, this change is inevitable without continuous, on-the-ground impact. I chose to stay because I’m needed here, Hoja Nueva is needed here. ‘If not now, when? If not you, who?’

Suzi: You’re taking personal responsibility! That’s the proactive attitude we all need to have. But you spend so much time away from home, when you’re in Peru, what do you miss the most about the States, and vice versa?

Sam: My family, friends, dogs, and certain foods! 

Choosing, some 7 years ago, to spend over half of my life in Peru, I sacrificed many things… watching my sister graduate college, seeing my brother off as he moved cross-country to his first job, my dad’s passing… working in conservation abroad is more than just working in a challenging somewhat dangerous field. We sacrifice the lives and the people we left behind. 

On Co-founding Fashion for Conservation

…our fashion choices as individuals will change what directions designers and clothing companies will go in.

Suzi: Since your studies seem steeped towards the “conservation” side of “Fashion for Conservation”, I am curious as to how you found yourself co-founding it. What led to deciding to jump into the fashion world?

Sam: I met Ava in college where we raised awareness for global conservation and wildlife protection efforts via our club, Conservation in Style. Since fashion is one of the most destructive industries on the planet, it seemed like a good place to start for education and awareness purposes. Although often difficult for me to relate, being able to share stories and educate people – change their mindsets – is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done and continue to do. 

Suzi: I see! FFC tries to bridge that gap between high-fashion and sustainability, being that fashion is a notoriously wasteful industry. 

While working closely with other designers during fashion shows, what did you find was surprising in the way they considered the two (fashion + conservation)?

Sam: I found most designers and people in fashion to support a transition to more sustainable methods. It’s all about the “how” and having the support, demand, and financial standing to be able to do so. Just as it is for any individual, being sustainable is always a little more expensive and/or time-consuming. The daily decisions we make have huge consequences for the environment, and our fashion choices as individuals will change what direction designers and clothing companies will go in. If we demand it, they must supply it. 

However, big industries like fashion need to go beyond conserving resources. Practicing conservation means also generating awareness of and donating funds to support meaningful grassroots efforts around the world. Like with any major issue, minimum effort only keeps the status quo – it doesn’t create the real change we urgently need. 

On The Earth’s Future & Steps to Help

Volunteer, donate, and vote.

Suzi: Are you hopeful about the future state of the earth? As in, do you feel as though generally we are moving in the right direction in terms of climate change awareness and wildlife protection?

Sam: If I didn’t still have hope, I wouldn’t be writing to you from my spotty wifi in the middle of the Peruvian Amazon. I have hope because I know we have the resources and knowledge to turn things around. People are waking up, and realizing how interconnected all life is on this planet. Even though we are moving in the right direction, I think we are moving too slowly. We need radical changes in mindset and policy to preserve what is left and ensure a home for the future generations of all beings.

Suzi: I think everyone wants to do better in terms of living more sustainably, but usually don’t know where to start or how to incorporate steps into their everyday life. What are some baby steps into living a more sustainable life?

Sam: Volunteer your time to the causes you care about – that you’ve thoroughly researched. Usually small, local/grassroots organizations are best.

Donate what you have. Sacrifice your coffee money and make a monthly repeating donation to an org – even $10 can make a huge difference. 

Vote. Get active in your local community. Participate. Don’t just ride your bike instead of driving — advocate and vote for sustainable policies. Use your voice — acknowledge that many in this world are voiceless. Don’t just talk about what others should be doing. Be the voice and be the change.

Despite the painful experiences and hard sacrifices Sam has had to make, she continually puts her nose on the grind and works tirelessly for a better future. She accepts that while the state of the Earth is not personally her fault, it takes a personal responsibility in order to create a better world. The small steps she lists for us are in no way of equal proportion to what she is doing, but the point is that we can DO SOMETHING and break down these problems that seem insurmountable into smaller, productive steps that can lead to big change.