Dear Committee Members,

I am preparing to meet with Erin Freshette, Coordinator of Community Service at Pelham High School, on January 17th at 10 am and would like to emphasize the impact student involvement can have on our Community Trail Coalition. At that meeting, I will highlight the significance of engaging young minds in environmental stewardship, cultivating a generation of passionate advocates who will champion the cause of preserving our planet.

Why involve students?

A.     Future Stewards of Our Planet: By involving students in the Community Trail Coalition, we are not just addressing current needs but sowing the seeds for a sustainable future. Young people will inherit the responsibility of safeguarding our planet, making it imperative for them to understand the impact of ATV use on trails and advocate for responsible conservation.

B.     Educational Empowerment: Empowering students with knowledge about environmental issues positions them as informed advocates. This knowledge equips them to protect our conservation lands and educate others about the importance of respectful trail use.

C.     Grant Opportunities: Intergenerational support is often a prerequisite for securing grants related to trail building and maintenance. Engaging students ensures the continuity of support and strengthens our applications for funding opportunities.

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Concrete Ideas for Student Involvement:

1.     Webmaster Collaboration: Work alongside the webmaster to create informative and engaging content for our website, providing a valuable learning experience in digital communication and outreach.

2.     Social Media Management: Once our Facebook page is established, students can actively manage and contribute to the page, amplifying our message and engaging with a broader audience.

3.     Event Hosting: Students can play a key role in organizing and hosting trail events, creating a vibrant atmosphere that encourages community participation.

4.     Guided Hikes: Involve students in leading guided hikes, fostering a connection between participants and the trails, while providing students with leadership opportunities.

5.     Trail Clean-Up: Engage students in hands-on trail maintenance and cleanup activities, instilling a sense of responsibility and ownership for the conservation areas.

6.     Badge Programs: Introduce a “Pelham Challenge Hike” badge program to incentivize and recognize students for their contributions and achievements on the trails.

7.     Trail Adoption: Assign students specific trails to adopt and care for, encouraging long-term commitment and fostering a sense of pride in their stewardship.

8.     Forestry Committee Presentation: Provide students with the opportunity to participate in presentations seeking approval for specific tasks from the Forestry Committee, honing their public speaking and advocacy skills.

9.     Video Creation: Encourage students to create engaging videos showcasing specific trails, further promoting awareness and appreciation for our conservation lands.

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I write this email to give you opportunity to think of other ways students can be involved in the coalition. Tasks need to be specific and time limited. I will be putting this topic on the agenda for our meeting next Friday at 10 am in the town hall conference room. I believe that, collectively, we can inspire and empower the next generation to be passionate advocates for our trails and conservation areas.

Yvonne

“ Aging is just another word for living!”

 Let’s get smarter about growing older.