Personality: Brian Bell

Spotlight on Keep Virginia Cozy founder

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Education: Bachelor’s in environmental studies.

Family: Mother, Anne Bell ; father, Richard Bell; sister, Erin Kutsko; nieces Eleanora and Evelynn Kutsko. Keep Virginia Cozy is: An environmental nonprofit based in Richmond. We work to conserve our lands by connecting more people to them, promoting in clusivity in them, and increasing accessibility to them.

When and why I de cided to start Keep Virginia Cozy: I started

Keep Virginia Cozy as a way to get friends outside, beautify nature by removing the litter we came across on local hikes and outings, and help keep our shared spaces cozy for all to enjoy.

How I came up with the name: I chose “cozy” because when you hear that word you automatically think of a safe/ friendly/inviting place, and that s exactly what the outdoors has always been for me.

Keep Virginia Cozy Be kind. Pick up litter. Smile at strangers. Keep Virginia Cozy.

Places Keep Virginia Cozy fo cuses on cleanup throughout the state: Heavily in the Rich mond and Greater Richmond area because this is where I live. We also manage sections of trail in Shenandoah National Park, and we work heavily in the George Washington and Jefferson National forests.

The difference between litter and trash: Litter is laziness and a lack of understanding or caring about your impact on the world around you. We are working to educate through action and show folks that, though it may not be our trash, this is our community and we are working to take care of it.

City cleanup versus subur ban cleanup: Both are great because, regardless of the venue, you are making an im mediate and positive impact on the environment around you.

Keep Virginia Cozy organizes for a cleanup by: Picking a place that could use some love and attention, highlighting the area on social media, setting a date and time, and getting all the logistics in order to conduct a zero waste cleanup!

Cleaning up, we stay safe by: Wearing gloves, cleaning with a buddy (people in pairs at events), and setting an end time and meetup location. Everyone who participates also has our contact information.

Most unusual find during a cleanup: Someone once found

How I start the day: I start my days with coffee, a trail run, and a podcast fueled by dog walk before work.

The three words that best describe me: Motivated, friendly and feral.

Best late-night snack: Baby Bell cheese.

How I unwind: Trail run, long hike, good book, nap, listening to a podcast, turning off my phone, and relaxing with my representatives/companies) don t get enough positive feedback.

A quote that inspires me: “I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall of my own happiness. The person who influenced me the most: My entire family influences me. I learn so much from them and different things from all of them.

Book that influenced me the most and how: “My Side of The Mountain” by Jean George. This was the first “real” book I ever read, around fourth grade or so.

What I’m reading now: “Find-