As the first season of Conservation Nation’s pilot programs conclude, we polled our NxtGen Microgrant winners and Youth Advisory Council members to see what their summers have in store. We learned that our young conservationists’ plans are bursting with education and action to save wildlife and nature.
Some of our teens are participating in prestigious summer intensives. Youth Advisor Jocelyn is attending UPenn’s week-long veterinary summer school. NxtGen Conservationist Allie plans to spend a week at the Maryland Natural Resources Careers Camp, a partnership between Allegheny College and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Youth Advisor Harry is participating in George Mason University’s Washington Youth Summit on the Environment (WYSE). There will be a lot of Conservation Nation representation at WYSE this summer. Youth Advisors Lauren and Aaron are WYSE alumni and are returning to the program as interns this year. Lauren and Aaron will join fellow alumna and Youth Advisor Emma to give the program’s keynote address with Conservation Nation’s Education Director, Elise. The topic of the presentation will be breaking barriers and youth action in conservation.
A few of our teens are participating in summer science programs. Youth Advisors Harry and Keshav are participating in whale camps, where they will research whales and local wildlife and learn about aquaculture. Youth Advisor Grace plans to study local salamander trends and write a scientific paper on them.
Nearly all said they plan to spend time outdoors and in nature this summer. Camping, hiking, backpacking, and traveling to biodiversity hotspots are popular activities. Many of our program participants will also work this summer; some are visiting colleges. NxtGen Conservationists Hassan, Alyssa, Jacob, and Shafa are participating in their freshman university’s orientation together – three of them are joining the environmental studies program this fall.
Our Conservation Nation program participants – their passion for wildlife and commitment to action on behalf of conservation – is what brings us hope. We are so proud of our Youth Advisory Council members and NxtGen Conservationists. We hope you, like them, will get a chance to explore, learn about, and protect nature this summer.
