Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists

In my junior year of high school, I had a passion project to create a pollinator garden at my high school, which taught me the importance of collaboration when creating green spaces. Despite living in an agriculturally rich and environmentally conscious area, my school lacked native plants and pesticide-free grass due to inconsistent administration and limited staff resources. I decided to address this gap by creating a space for pollinators while educating my peers. The project began with finding an underutilized area at my high school. I contacted representatives from environmental nonprofits, created a layout for the garden, and researched native plants. I then went door-to-door asking for donations, collecting free plants from nurseries, compost, and shovels I could borrow. Getting approval for the garden was challenging. I spent months meeting with school administrators, educating them about the importance of pollinators and the need for habitat restoration. Eventually, I convinced them to approve the project, although strict supervision from the school district meant limited access to the fenced-in area, which made planting more difficult. To combat this, I gathered volunteers from my Earth Club, Sonoma Valley Rotary Club, and the neighborhood. This experience taught me a lot about the rules and regulations when working within a school district and the challenges of communication. Despite these barriers, we successfully created the pollinator garden with hundreds of native plants. I've been featured in newspapers, spoken at events with representatives from the Xerces Society, and inspired students across California to lead similar efforts. The Valley of the Moon Garden Club has sponsored my project by providing volunteers, overseeing finances, and helping me secure grants. One of the most rewarding parts of the project was receiving a $5,000 grant from Saving Birds Through Habitat, which will allow me to expand the garden this season. The garden has brought calm to students and community members everyday lives while aso simultaneously being a safe space for pollinators. I've seen an increase in the number of bees and butterflies in the area. Now the area is alive with activity as bees buzz and butterflies flutter by. I've had many teachers and staff thank me for the project, which has improved the campus and created a greener space for everyone. Community members have commented on how they always wanted something like this near their neighborhoods, and while I've worked on the habitat, many have asked about my inspiration and how they can contribute. Though we lost a few plants in the first season, many have thrived and continue to grow, even though the garden is left to grow more wild. I truly believe this garden has left a positive impact on the City of Sonoma and the lives of its residents. Most importantly, pollinators now have a safe space to find food and reproduce. The success of this project has deepened my passion for environmental work even more. Since I was a young girl, I've dreamed of researching water's impact on plants and animals. I've always been interested in studying invasive species, pesticides, and agricultural waste that pollute water systems. I've been involved in my community through the Sonoma Climate Action Commission and as a board member of the Sonoma Ecology Center. Through these roles, I've learned how to bring about change at the local level, which led to the idea of the pollinator garden. I hope to pursue a Ph.D. in environmental science and work for a non-profit that focuses on habitat protection and water conservation. I will be attending the University of California, Santa Cruz, and bring my knowledge back to Sonoma County to continue this work. I am passing this porject down to a younger Earth Club member who can continue my efforts and spend the grant money as she envisions while I'm in college. She will do the same once she graduates. In college, I plan to start organizations that protect habitats, increase schoolyard greening, plant food for the community, and foster education for all. I'll also volunteer my time at local community gardens and work to enhance science education and sustainable agricultural practices in school districts. Through my work, I hope to influence new programs and policies that protect the environment. The pollinator garden is just one example of how local communities can come together to create meaningful change, and I look forward to continuing this work throughout my career.