Stewards Share Knowledge With Future Environmentalists…

Many tasks may be more economically completed without the “help” of children. But good parents realize that it is often worth the extra effort to involve kids in chores, projects and important family decisions. In the long run youngsters who are informed and involved become more capable adults.

This is especially true when it comes to understanding and appreciating our increasingly fragile environment. Our 7 year old granddaughter Maebh, for instance, an avid hiker (ADK 46R) and camper, has learned to safely appreciate and respect our environment from her parents and other caring adults. Those mentors consistently teach her how to respectfully share the wilderness, identify trees and plants, recognize, monitor and eradicate (when possible) invasives…and have fun in the process.

At Baker Woods Preserve (BWP) she and other young people are consistently involved in our many projects. What better way to learn about the importance of native pollinators than to plant native species and eventually observe the important role they play in the lives of bees and butterflies which are both beautiful and necessary.

Last fall, Maebh was blown away by the monarch caterpillars and chrysalises that dripped from the butterfly weed and other native plants in our main pollinator garden. My “boring” description of the crucial role that native pollinators play finally blossomed as an “aha” moment for her…

This winter she helped us survey for Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (HWA), assess wind damage in BWP S and became a steward herself to her beloved cousin Xavier proving that mentoring is the gift that keeps on…sprouting.

Sure, mentoring kids is not all New England asters and swamp milkweed, but when it works it's as beautiful as a spring garden!

Keep sharing knowledge.

Matt and Linda