Natural Lands - The Magazine of Natural Lands Fall/Winter 2019, Issue 155 | Page 14

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on whatever tasks Bob and Darin have selected. Often,
the team has to deviate from the calendar of projects es-
tablished at the beginning of the season. “Monsoon-like
rains made a bunch of projects impossible this summer,”
Bob shares. “So instead we raked gravel that had washed
out from the driveway at Binky Lee and installed water
bars on the trails at Bryn Coed. The kids learn flexibility.”
While the students benefit from real-world work
experience, Natural Lands’ preserves feel the love as
well. “Help from the YES kids means my staff can focus
on other projects we might not get to otherwise. Our
staff is working on a lean budget to manage over 600
acres on these two preserves alone—every bit of help
counts,” says Gary Gimbert, regional director of preserve
stewardship.
Participants must apply to the program; the carrot is a
$7.50-an-hour paycheck. But Bob says the kids also join
YES to try something new, to have something to do for
the summer, to meet people, or—and this really excites
him—to learn more about environmental stewardship.
challenging choices.
There is power in the collective impact
specific research project they under-
town School District, which serves one take at a Natural Lands preserve, their
er. Three years ago, Natural Lands of the most economically challenged schoolyard, or a nearby stream.
developed a partnership with NorthBay, communities in Montgomery County, “Today was awesome,” said a
a leading outdoor education and char- working with students for three years fifth-grader at Pottstown Middle
acter development program provider. beginning in fourth grade. In their final School after a trip to Crow’s Nest Pre-
year of the outdoor-focused learning serve, where students explored French
educational experience that consists program, kids experience a five-day Creek. “We went snorkeling, we saw a
of field-based and classroom activi- intensive residence at the NorthBay lot of little clams and fish, and most of
ties—helps youth discover that the facility in Cecil County, MD, where all we were doing team building. This
choices they make have the power to activities focus on environmental issue transform the planet, their community, investigation and character education. and themselves. Upon return, the students develop a
“Powered by Nature”—an innovative
We piloted the program in the Potts-
of like-minded partners working togeth-
is the best day of my life!” W
Leadership support for Powered by Nature
provided by PECO and the Exelon Foundation.