Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists

Campus clean-ups are now a regular biweekly event for the first stable environmental organization in University High School. Founded in 2005, Youth Advocates for the Environment has been a dedicated group of students that brought about positive changes on campus such as the recently implemented paper recycling program and the regular beach clean-ups, campus clean-ups and nursery visits to the local Shadetree nursery to take care of native plants and trees.
On November 11, 2007 we conducted our regular bi-weekly campus clean-up event with a special focus on the wilderness area behind the campus. The area is more commonly known as Jeffery Open Space Trail where families and friends often come together to play and enjoy the surrounding nature. However, we felt that the section of the wilderness close to the school has often been neglected and we wanted to change that by cleaning the area up.
From exactly 9 to 12 in the morning, we gathered together to collect all kinds of litter in the area: cigarette butts, broken lighters, diapers, some clothes, CDsâ€™, plastic bottles and cans, fast-food wrappers and broken glass bottles in the area. We could not believe the amount of trash collected in just three hours that day. It amounted to four extra large trash bags, which would approximately weigh anywhere between twenty to thirty pounds.
The Jeffery Open Space Trail is a home for numerous animals in our area that have been replaced by the continuing house developments. Coyotes, squirrels, birds, snakes and owls all live in the area trying to maintain a balance in the ecosystem. The least we could have done is protect it. It was only one day worth of cleaning up, but we hope to continue making a change in the school and the way that students think with our organization. It felt rewarding to be able to make such an impact on the community and take environmental responsibility where we live, work and play.