Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Testimonials about the Apprentice Ecologist Initiative

"Thank you for your correspondence regarding the volunteer projects conducted through the Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™. I appreciate your taking the time to write. It is very encouraging to hear about young people gaining valuable life lessons through these experiences, and I strongly support promoting these types of opportunities to individuals at an early age... As the Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, please be assured that I will continue to promote the responsible use of our public lands.

Again, thank you for writing. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future regarding any other matters of importance to you and your community."

Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)
UNITED STATES SENATOR
703 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, USA

"Governor George E. Pataki has received your correspondence and has asked me to thank you for sharing Daina's essay about her volunteer experience at Jones Beach State Park. It is always heartwarming to hear about the meaningful projects undertaken by young people.

State Parks is serious about keeping our beaches clean not only for the health and safety of park visitors, but also for the health of our environment. Litter is not just unsightly; it is a threat to wildlife as well. Each fall, State Parks participates in the American Littoral Society's annual International Coastal Cleanup when over 200,000 pounds of garbage that has washed up on our beaches is removed by hardworking volunteers from all walks of life. Cleanups at other times of the year are also conducted with help from volunteers, and State Parks' Nature Centers encourage recycling through educational programs.

Daina and her friends are to be commended for their efforts to keep parks clean. Please let them know that their stewardship is sincerely appreciated."

Bernadette Castro; Commissioner, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Albany, New York, USA

"Thank you for your email informing me of volunteer work done by an apprentice of the Nicodemus Wilderness Project at Manhattan Beach Park. I am glad that you directed me to Nancy's essay. It was well written and exemplifies the true volunteer spirit. It is wonderful to know that there are people like Nancy who will, despite the heat of the day, take the time to help clean our beaches. I appreciate that."

Adrian Benepe; Commissioner, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, New York City, New York, USA

"Thank you so very much for writing the Department of Natural Resources to let us know about the Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™ of the Nicodemus Wilderness Project and essay that was done by Charo Mutrie and Sarah Vanderheide. I have forwarded the web site and link to several people on our staff so that they can see what wonderful work has been done at Indian Springs and High Falls. Again, thanks for sending this and thanks for all that you do!"

Lynn Barfield; Volunteer Director, Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

"I am the author of the book The Busy Family's Guide to Volunteering and executive director of a Minneapolis-based 501(c)3 organization called Doing Good Together (www.doinggoodtogether.org). I thought your Apprentice Ecologist program would be a great project for parents and kids to do together, so we'd like to include your web site and description of the program on our list. Congratulations on your wonderful organization!"

Jenny Friedman; Executive Director, Doing Good Together, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

"Nicodemus Wilderness Project was a great opportunity for our students this year, and will definitely be one again next year, and in the coming years."

Mariam; Youth Group Leader and Apprentice Ecologist ambassador, Agadir, Morocco

"We are determined and we shall win the challenge and lift higher the mission of the Nicodemus Wilderness Project here in Senegal and if possible the whole of West Africa. I will do all even if it necessitates me sacrificing everything I have."

Soumaoro Issa; Youth Group Leader and Apprentice Ecologist, Dakar, Senegal

"We thank you very much for the package that you have sent to us, it has now arrived, with this we wish to express our sincere gratitude to you for the effort that you are making to help the Gbawe Youth Club. Thank you very much for the concern that you have shown to us. We have seen the good work you are doing."

Philip Kyei Appiah; Youth Project Leader and Apprentice Ecologist, Accra, Ghana

"Thank you...for offering students the opportunity to help the environment, and to share that experience with others."

Alexander; Apprentice Ecologist, Richmond Hill, Georgia, USA

"Volunteering for the Nicodemus Wilderness Project is a great way to help the environment and get some great exercise as well. Thank you so much for your wonderful organization; without you, the world would be a lost cause."

Zacchaeus Nifong; Apprentice Ecologist, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

"During the beach clean up I felt extremely fortunate to be taking part in saving the lives of an infinite number of marine mammals and organisms. I also felt happy knowing the younger children now have a better understanding of the importance of improving the marine environment. Being a part of the Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™ was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life."

Monica Hewett; Apprentice Ecologist, El Segundo, California, USA

"The Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™ is a wonderful idea for those who want to help in their community, however cannot commit to so many hours per week, or cannot commit to the hours of a particular group. The nice thing about it is you can organize your own group, and go wherever you feel it is necessary. This way you can enjoy yourself with some good friends, while making a difference in the community, and hopefully the world. "

Sheena Poston; Apprentice Ecologist, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

"I truly enjoyed the project and look forward to more like it. Thanks a lot for this great opportunity!"

Aja; Apprentice Ecologist, Norman, Oklahoma, USA

"Thanks for encouraging the youth of this country to help take care of the community. I'll be sure to tell others about your program."

Evelin; Apprentice Ecologist, Houston, Texas, USA

"I believe what y'all are doing gives teenagers like me wonderful tasks to accomplish. It allows us to know what it feels like to make a difference in our community or even the world. Because of this program many teenagers will do more and more for their community and area as they grow older! Thank you very much for this experience!"

Andrew; Apprentice Ecologist, Tidewater, Mississippi, USA

"I am currently home schooling my 12 year-old son with cerebral palsy. We are looking for a project to encourage his contribution to the environment, as well as provide a unique setting in the community for learning. The Nicodemus Wilderness Project seems like a great way to accomplish all of these goals. Thank you."

A. Waller; Seattle, Washington, USA

"Because of the materials you sent last year, one boy has become incredibly involved in local environmental action and his parents have said they've never seen him so excited about something! "

Elyse; Franklin, Massachusetts, USA

"This is an exciting and fun opportunity to protect our mother nature."

A. Shrihari; Cupertino, California, USA

"I would like to take this opportunity because I appreciate nature and I like walking through the woods and just wonder about how the things around me affect us humans in a positive way. I also will take this opportunity because I was born in a rural area and I appreciated all the trees and animals in the forest. Now that I live in NYC, there is nothing to appreciate but the tall buildings in Manhattan and Central Park."

J. Zapata; New York, New York, USA

"I think this is a great way to get people thinking and acting. Will start planning my first trip today."

C. Chase; Memphis, Tennessee, USA

"I believe that this program will help create a balance between industry and nature, and with global warming and other environmental disasters in sight, it is important that everyone participates in preventing these these disasters from happening. Planting new green will help decrease the rate of increasing air pollution and environmental damage."

I just joined the group today. I feel honored and privileged to be part of the family. I have searched thoroughly for environmental groups at the net and found NWP to be the most sincere. I am so touched by the origin story of Robert F. Nicodemus because I can associate with him in so many ways...

I am a lonely environmentalist. I am the only person crying to save the environment, in my family. I am the only person crying to save the envinronment, in my office. I am the only person crying to save the environment, in my circle of friends. But I did not lose enthusiasm, I decided to go online. Luckily I found you! I will treasure this day as my 1st day with NWP.

I became a personal environmentalist only last year. It was by accident. I grew up along the coast at the eastern side of the Philippines. Our house sits on a seawall. I learned swimming naturally, I don't remember when and how. So my love for nature was actually built-in.

Last year I enrolled in Scuba Diving and got my certificate. After many dives, I found out how beautiful it is underwater. It's another world. But I also discovered some things: trash, bleached corals, dynamite fishing. It bothered me.

When a tsunami hit The Solomon Islands last year, it dawned on me that another tsunami is very possible to happen in my very own backyard in the Philippines. My country is an archipelago of 7,100 islands. I realized that when peak of global warming is here, my family will be most affected because we live at the peak of the Philippine map facing the Pacific Ocean. I was bothered and told myself I should act now.

I started to be an environmentalist in my own way since last year. I save power, I switch off unused electrical fixtures in my room, I don't leave my appliances in "stand by" mode. I save water. I recycle paper in the office. I seldom use the elevator. And I ask my friends to do the same.

Today I just felt that I should belong to a group. That it's time for me to branch out. After thorough research, I found NWP to be the most relevant, I feel at home right away. I hope I will be welcome. Thank you."

"Today was an inspiring day for me because I came across your webpage. Congratulations. I am myself a big fan of the beauty of your country, which I frequently visit, particularly the National Parks. During my last stay early this year in California I read up on John Muir and his writing very much enthused me...Once again, thank you for your inspiration. I really liked the John Lennon recitation as well. Best natural wishes"

"Thank you so much. This project was a LIFE CHANGING experience for them. Wow!!!! I need to both thank and bless you. You have forever opened my girls eyes in such a positive way. I am so grateful to your organization. Thank you. Thank you."

"I wanted to say thank you for what your organization and its leadership has done (and will do) to empower young people. This project has truly made a difference in the sense of responsibility that I feel for my protecting environment, and it has also made me realize what a joy it can be. And, greatest of all, what a joy it can be to inspire others. So, thank you very much, and I know I will continue to be inspired by the actions and message of the Nicodemus Wilderness Project."

Testimonials about the Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™