Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists

For my Apprentice Ecologists Project I was inspired to protect our planet by establishing an environmental club at my high school.

The summer before I started high school I volunteered with the Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), an environmental stewardship program. This three-week residential program helped me discover my passion for environmental conservation. I worked 40-hour work weeks with a crew of 13 at state parks on field-based projects.

That summer, I worked at New River Trail and Claytor Lake state parks on a variety of projects including invasive species removal, trail work, erosion control, routine maintenance and graveling campgrounds.

The hands-on work of YCC inspires me. Spending your summer deep in the woods in the intense heat, surrounded by ticks, mosquitoes and wasps might deter some, but for me these times on the trails became the highlights of my summers. Knowing you are making a difference, alongside similarly-minded people is a powerful feeling.

I was really excited about all I learned that summer and was inspired to do more. But when I got to school, I found that there were no classes or electives to help me explore this new interest as a freshman. In fact, my school only offered one class - AP Environmental Science - and it was only open to upperclassmen.

In high school, students have to choose their classes based on availability and requirements and often that leaves limited resources for students to explore a passion for the environment or to create awareness for environmental issues.

So I looked outside of school to pursue my interests. I continued to serve the community at the James River Association (JRA) Leadership Academy, a year-long program culminating with a capstone project, where I planted 40 native trees at four Richmond middle schools to prevent erosion within the James River watershed and created a native tree trail for each school. I learned about project management, contingency planning and flexibility. With JRA, I also helped with the Kids in Kayaks program, invasive species removal, river cleanups, community awareness and public education.

Soon after I joined the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) Student Leadership Program where I learned about corporate sustainability, environmental justice and the role agriculture plays within the watershed. I am particularly proud of being part of the Watershed Outdoor Bill of Rights group with CBF as it has taught me how to advocate for those issues that I find critical.

Meanwhile, back at school, I was finally eligible to take the AP Environmental Science class my high school offered. In class, I found others that shared my interest, but didn't have an outlet to explore their passion for the environment.

That's when I realized that there was no environmental club or extracurricular activities at the high school level in Hanover County to help spur interest in the environment or awareness of current environmental issues such as sustainability, climate change and recycling.

So I decided to start an Environmental Club at my high school. After getting permission from the school and finding a teacher to serve as our advisor, we held an informational meeting last spring and had about 20 students show up. Now membership has risen to 87 members and continues to grow. It's been very exciting to see how many people wanted to not only join the club, but actively participate. I get stopped in the hall by fellow students asking how to join or when our next meeting is.

So far we have resurrected the recycling program, conducted cleanups in the school parking lot and in and around the football stadium, partnered with the agriculture department to plant three peach trees and began having guest speakers at our meetings. Last month we partnered with the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority to host a mini fair at school to celebrate America Recycles Day. And we are planning more opportunities with local partners for the spring.

Additionally, I have worked with our advisor to set up a leadership council to run the club, including a vice president position held by an underclassman that will assume the role of president elect in order to maintain continuity and ensure the longevity of the club long after I graduate.

I hope to pursue a degree in environmental conservation and business with the hopes of one day working at a national park. My dream to work within the environmental field is creating a better world by ensuring natural resources will be protected and enjoyed by all. But I am excited to know that I have already inspired others to think about our environment.