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NWP Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists - Eldersburg, Maryland, USA

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Eldersburg, Maryland, USA
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Suzanna24



Registered: November 2018
City/Town/Province: Sykesville
Posts: 1
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My earliest memories are experiencing the beauty and diversity of nature in America. My mom, little sister, and I drove around the country to national parks, and I racked up countless Junior Ranger badges. As I grew into my teen years, these early memories became defining characteristics of my passion and personality. I engaged in ecological pursuits in my classes, activities, work, travels, and volunteer opportunities. While I have had expansive exposure to the natural world, sometimes it is local volunteering and leadership that can become more effective in implementing positive change.


It is my goal in life to help alleviate the human/wildlife conflict through grassroots change. In school, I have taken extensive amount of classes to build my understanding of the natural world: AP Environmental Science, Intro to Agricultural, Natural Resources, and Food, Oceanography, Meteorology, and a long list of core sciences. I have participated in astronomy club, and led FFA, Environmental Club, and Envirothon. I have worked on trails in my area, set up a bee hive, and attended park meetings in my county. I even traveled to Galapagos Islands to learn more about ecological diversity.


Before my junior year, I applied for and was accepted to serve on the Youth Conservation Corps in Yellowstone. I managed trails, led population studies, and taught visitors. The following summer, I was asked to come back as a youth leader. I spent ten weeks leading conservation projects throughout the backcountry.


Again, while it is exhilarating to seek to implement change in areas far from my home, it is important to seek change and to lead others locally. During my junior year, I began leading a group of high school students to remove invasive vegetation and plant native vegetation at a local elementary school. We spent countless hours cleaning out garbage, removing plants, and tilling the ground. Our group planted trees and organic seedlings from our greenhouse.


The impact of this garden and native vegetation site was not just for the pursuit of green practices. The true significance is represented by teaching the elementary students the value of ecological practices. Leading the project in their space and setting it up for the younger students to become nature's caretakers creates more impact than I can do just with my own two hands. We can accomplish more when we teach others how to embrace nature.


As I complete my senior year, I look forward to further developing my ecological skillset. In college, I plan to study environmental science and biology. However, the vegetation project taught me that these studies are not enough by themselves. Instead, I plan to learn how to lead change, to influence others to take responsibility for the natural world around them. As female CEO Lisa Bodell states, "Change cannot be put on people. The best way to instill change is to do it with them. Create it with them. "
· Date: November 5, 2018 · Views: 3192 · File size: 28.5kb, 1845.7kb · : 2016 x 1512 ·
Hours Volunteered: 315
Volunteers: 12
Authors Age & Age Range of Volunteers: 17 & 14 to 18
Area Restored for Native Wildlife (hectares): .1
Trash Removed/Recycled from Environment (kg): 13
Native Trees Planted: 4
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