Ciarán and friends pick up trash , a favorite activity out in the Ag Reserve .
Mom : We were based in Canberra . I suppose I started noticing Ciarán ’ s affinity for the natural world on our many road and camping trips all around Australia . We stayed in some really rugged and remote county . When I look back now we were brave to do this ; every trip was an adventure and Ciarán really responded to that . He was very into protecting the animals / wombats and echidnas mostly . He made friends with the local magpies . And he absolutely loved our local bush walks .
P : Do you and your friends like to explore in the area creeks and what do you see when you do ? C : My friends and I usually go to Dry Seneca Creek in Poolesville , which is closest to our homes . We collect the garbage from the creek and look in the water to see if we can find any interesting rocks or minerals .
P : Do you have any message for grown-ups about the environment ?
How about kids ? How about elected representatives ? C : I do , in fact , have a message for parents and elected representatives . Preserve the environment — conserve and protect it . We ’ ve done enough damage already . Several ideas I have in mind include switching to electric and biking when you can , picking up garbage and litter in neighborhoods , and take care not to overuse water . We have seen what can happen in western USA . Imagine the Chesapeake Bay drained . Our pride , once a thriving bay , now a lifeless stream . For kids my age , we need make sure that we help our parents to understand what is happening . Our voices are some of the most important , and what we say can shape a community , and effect everyone around us .
And before we parted Ciarán had a couple questions for me :
C : What ’ s your favorite exercise related activity to do in the Reserve ? P : Hard to pick one as I cycle and kayak but probably hiking as I can steep in the sounds of this special place when I am still and quiet .
C : What ’ s the biggest battle you ’ ve had to fight to preserve the Reserve ? P : The biggest and ongoing battle is to bring awareness of the importance of , and opportunities provided by , the Reserve . Without a wide appreciation , or affection for , this remarkable place and a broad understanding that we are bound together with the natural world the Reserve will fall prey to myriad challenges . But hey , this conversation has given me real hope that we will meet this challenge together .
Caroline Taylor is executive director of Montgomery Countryside Alliance and lives with her family on beloved small acreage in the Agricultural Reserve .
These nature centers and programs offer opportunities to help kids connect with the natural world :
l Black Hill Nature Programs l Brookside Nature Center l Croydon Creek Nature Center l Locust Grove Nature Center l Meadowside Nature Center l Audubon Naturalist Society Green Kids Program l Mobile Agricultural Science Lab Program via Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation l Close Encounters with Agriculture l Mobile Nature Center : Nature on Wheels l Local chapters of the Izaak Walton League l And the recipients of the 2021 Reserve Champion – Royce Hanson Award : Landscape and Nature Discoveries
Find links to these programs and more at : Mocoalliance . org