Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists

Backpacking in the woods, surrounded by nature and mountains is where I like to spend my time. I discovered my passion for nature years ago while hiking with my Polish Scouts troop. Even as a kid, I knew that I wanted to proceed in this direction in the future and turn it into a career. When most high school seniors feel pressured into choosing their path for the future, I already know that nature is my one true calling. Therefore, when I found this scholarship in the Ultimate Scholarship Book 2018, I knew I could apply for it because of the volunteering project I am a part of.
I first learned about the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission while preparing presentation for my scouts group. Now, every other Sunday, I helped PHNRC in their effort to restore the prairies in our area. When I started, members of the group introduced me to some of the different species that we would see and work with in the area. I was though how to identify species like the Prairie Compass and different plants in mint family. They also taught me how to recognize the invasive plants including Buckthorn which is overgrowing in our area. We then started to meet at the local slough to collect seeds from Monarda and Round Header Bush Clover. Before collecting the seeds, one of the members gave me clippers and showed me what to look for and how to cut to save as many seeds as possible. We met at the slough multiple times. During the short picking period, we collected over 90 pounds of different seeds.
The next step was to burn the land to get rid of the rest of the invasive species and to put nutrients back into the soil. This process promotes plant growth when the new seeds are planted. Members of local ComEd burned the land for us. In the meantime, all the volunteers met in the organizer Agnieszka Wojnarski's garage to help with seed processing. All together there were about twenty volunteers. The seeds were already segregated for us into huge labeled bags with plant names and kind of land the seed was supposed to be sowed on; wet, dry, or shaded prairie region.
The volunteers were split into sections of the garage. People on Milk Weed duty had to shake their bags to separate the seeds from their white stems. The other groups of volunteers were provided with gloves and given standing grater crates that the plants were torn against in order to separate the seed from the unneeded part of the plant. We ended up putting doctor masks on because of all the dust that was created in the process. I helped process River Oats, Monarda, Golden Alexanders, Bottle Brush Grass, and Round Headed Bush Clover in just the few hours of sitting there.
Later, all of the seeds which were supposed to be planted in a specific area were mixed together to assure good mixture of spices. A week later, I met the rest of volunteers and some helping boy scouts in order to help spread the seeds to restore the prairie. Prospect Heights on road ....... We had a designated place for restoration. I was surprised that it was the same place where I played in as a child running and hiding in the tall grass right behind my grandma's old house. It had been burned the week before and now we walked around the place spreading the seed from our bags. To make sure we would cover the entire area, we created a line spreading across width of the place and simultaneously walked across the field sowing the seeds. When all the seeds were spread, we spread 80 pounds, we had kielbasa (polish sausage) for lunch and sat by the camp fire to rest and talk a little.
After eating, we were asked to go to a different location to help clear Buckthorn from local forest. Some people had to leave but I jumped on this opportunity to spend more time outdoors and with a few other volunteers made my way there. The scouts went with us and later I was helping some of them identify young Buckthorn from other plants growing there. In the forest, we sowed some young maple saplings guarded off from the previous year and told them what that was too.
Restoring the prairies in our area is important because Illinois used to be covered by prairies. Even now, it is called the prairie state although most of the prairie is gone covered by buildings, roads, factories, and expanding communities. Today only about 2,500 acres on the state is covered by prairies. We need to save the land that is near us. By restoring the habitats, we can bring native animals back to their homes. Also, it is important to get rid of invasive species that choke out the native plants. We can inspire others to also help in other projects in the environment as well. People want pieces of nature around, they just do not want to work to save it. If we can show them that even the smallest efforts can help maybe more people would get involved.
The volunteers that I work with are all different ages and they always say that I am the future. I believe this to be true. Agnes has made such an impact on my life in a short amount of time, and I wish to do the same for others in the years to come. Even in my journey through college, I will strive to continue helping the environment and aiding in local restoration projects. Getting others involved in the efforts would be a plus, and since I will be attending a school with a strong environmental program, I know that getting volunteers will be a breeze. I hope that this experience has prepared me for my future job, and combined with my leader's skills I gain through my work with scouts, I will be able to make a big difference in the future conservation projects.