Young people in Mt. Lebanon have an enormous positive effect on our parks through their volunteer work. They help improve our natural spaces by planting trees, removing invasive plants and mending our trails. High school students, Scout troops and family members jump in regularly to lend a hand with the Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy’s projects.
These young people contribute hundreds of hours annually with work that includes serving as the conservancy’s student board members, teaching third graders at School in the Park each May and working in the parks to rehabilitate woodlands and improve hiking conditions.
“Not only do they get their required high school or Scout volunteer hours, but they gain valuable knowledge and experience by working side by side with conservancy board members and other dedicated volunteers,” said Moira Aulbach, conservancy volunteer coordinator.
“We see a lot of the same kids come back, work day after work day, to help us in the parks. They have become interested and invested in improving the surrounding community – just as the conservancy has been for years.”
Here are the comments of some youth volunteers, current and past:
Clara Druckenbrod
17, 12th grade, student board member
“It’s been great to work hands-on and to interact with people as passionate about the environment as I am. I am very proud of how our booth at the Earth Day event turned out. Both we and the kids had a lot of fun!”
Anika Schmid
18, 12th grade, School in the Park volunteer
“One of the most rewarding aspects was getting to see the kids get excited about things I was excited about as a third grader. I worked at the birds station, which, includes dissecting an owl pellet. When I did School in the Park as a third grader, dissecting an owl pellet was my favorite thing I did that day. Getting to watch future generations love something that I loved when I was their age was such a rewarding feeling.”
Jerry Yu
17, 12th grade, park volunteer
“I don’t need more [community service] hours now; I just like to help with the environment and conservation. This work kind of ties in with my interest in green energy.”
Alejandra Garcia
17, 12th grade, park volunteer
When picturing Bird Park 25 years from now: “I think people will be really, really grateful for the work the conservancy did, and for the chance to see what a native forest in Pennsylvania is supposed to look like.”
Leni McCann
18, Rice University freshman, frequent park volunteer as high school student
“The first time I volunteered with the conservancy, we were planting native tree species. My most distinct memory is coming back the next year to volunteer again and seeing how the trees I helped plant had matured in the park. Even with just one day of volunteering, the difference from the moment we start to the moment we end is clear. After helping out for three years, though, the difference is so distinct. There has been so much improvement in the park, and I am proud to know that I was even a small contributor to it.”
Anton Skorski
17, 12th grade, park volunteer
“I like the feeling of accomplishment doing this kind of work. Unlike volunteering at, say, a carnival, which is a one-time thing, this feels like I will have a lasting impact. Come back later, and you get to see a sign of what you did, like: ‘I planted that tree.’”
Violet Slagle
18, freshman at Clemson University, former student board member
“I found being a junior board member very worthwhile. Not only did it help me grow as a leader and student, but it also helped me grow connections with people who have similar interests and passions. I learned that it is important to get involved in your community no matter how much or how little. It is important to be involved to help maintain and improve a community you are proud to be a part of.”