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NWP Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists - Mountain Trail Number Four, Maine

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Mountain Trail Number Four, Maine
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Devonkane1



Registered: February 2015
City/Town/Province: E. Bridgewater
Posts: 1
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Why Conservation?
Devon
Since 1999, I have gone back and forth with my family to a place called Moosehead Lake in the deep woods of Maine. The Lake is 40 miles of rough cut back country, and my sanctuary. As a kid, I would swim in the shallows for hours, turning up rocks and catching crayfish. Sometimes, my brother and I would be in the woods until the mosquitoes came out, building teepees out of downed brush. Our modest cabin is a result of hard work and some luck from the housing crash of the late 90’s. Anytime we find a little bit of extra money it went to the cabin, a foundation one year, the next some walls; usually we stayed in a small shed next to the foundation. 16 years later and the place still isn’t completely done. I thank my mother and father for their hard work of putting this little heaven on earth together; without it I think the path to finding where my true passion lies would have been more difficult. As a kid living in the suburbs, I find myself lost, thinking about kayaking in the lake and seeing my younger brother pulling up rocks as I did at his age. My passion is to preserve places like this for future generations. If each person had similar fond memories as a child, they would think twice before throwing that plastic bottle in the lake or that cigarette butt on the road.
Before making the decision to major in Conservation my career path faltered, but I always felt a deep connection to the natural world. As a child, I could be found digging in the dirt looking for unique fossils; almost everywhere we went I brought back twice my weight in rocks. My parents enabled my hobby, buying me books and magazines. The were positive I’d become a geologist, however, after researching different careers in the environment, I felt that my skills could be better used in learning how to conserve the natural ecosystems that are threatened and endangered, I think the rocks will survive. After running my thoughts regarding conservation by skeptical relatives and teachers, I was told that I should go into the medical field or law school, and that I was aiming low based on my potential. Discouraged, I pushed my dream aside and began thinking about becoming a nurse or doctor. Questions like, “What are you going to major in?” and, “How are you going to live off that salary?” haunted my mind for months. After coming to the conclusion that medical practice was conceivable and covered my strength in science, my mind still wandered to the backwoods of Maine. After researching careers in forestry and conservation, I was keen to the fact I might not become a millionaire, but enjoying every minute of my work seemed far more important than any monetary value. The thought of living and working in areas that I merely vacationed to as a child thrilled me. After researching environmental issues in my college studies, I aspire to aid in making my generation be the first to reach sustainability. I always knew that nature would be an integral part of my adult life, and am ecstatic that there is a career path that could harmonize my passion for nature, academic strengths in natural sciences.
Unity College, an environmental college in Maine is where I have decided to continue my education. When I visited Unity, I fell in love with the simple, rural setting. I laughed when we passed the only pizza joint in town, “Spanky’s” and the small amish community just down the street. The school demonstrated the practice of living simple, as well as cutting edge technology in sustainability to reduce their impact. Between the locally farmed food and sustainable campus, I needed to be a part of it. Smaller than East Bridgewater High School, the class size and lab setting is what attracted me to the school. After looking into the honors program, I found the school unique in that their honors students work closely with professors to help design the class and labs. My acceptance to Unity and their honors program provided assurance that conservation is the correct path for me. After receiving acceptance letters from closer schools such as Stonehill, Emmanuel, and Umass Boston, I kept thinking about how close they were to the city; I wanted to be closer to the peaceful scenery I enjoy. Being accepted to Unity solidified my passion for conservation as well as an attainable career path. I look forward to studying with individuals holding a similar passion for the environment, and the knowledge the next four years are sure to bring.
I feel blessed to be fortunate enough to pursue my passion in conserving our country’s nature and wildlife, and would graciously accepted any help I might find. Thank you, for I am very appreciative of the generosity and noble cause of the Nicodemus Wilderness Project scholarship.
Date: February 27, 2015 Views: 4777 File size: 13.1kb, 104.5kb : 416 x 720
Hours Volunteered: 4
Volunteers: 2
Authors Age & Age Range of Volunteers: 18 to 20
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velan

Registered: May 2015
City/Town/Province: Chennai
Posts: 1
May 13, 2015 3:28am

You are really blessed as you took the subject you liked.
Farman Ali

Registered: May 2015
City/Town/Province: Hyderabad
Posts: 2
May 15, 2015 12:09pm

Very nice work.