Winning essay on Celery Farm and teaching about nature
June 26, 2009
Carol Flanagan, president emeritus of Fyke Nature Association, was able to obtain the following essay about the Celery Farm written by Northern Highlands Senior Diana Wang, which helped her win the first annual Lillian and Stiles Thomas Scholarship.
Thanks, Carol, and congratulations, Diana.
“This is purple loosestrife. It’s pretty isn’t it?”
I
nodded, admiring the vibrant splash of color.
“Well, it’s an invasive
species.” He continued, explaining how they originally took root in the
Celery Farm and how beetles needed to be released to control the
population.
What I had thought was the most attractive plant was the most harmful. Fascinating.
An invasive species, I learned, was a non-indigenous species that
negatively affected the invaded habitat. Then what does that make us
humans, who are guilty of exploiting and taking over the land? I guess that makes us an invasive species too…
Click here to read more about the Lillian and Stiles Thomas scholarship.
Click "Continue reading ... " for the rest of Diana's essay.
As I returned home, I was inspired at how much I could learn on an
impromptu afternoon stroll. However, I was left with an unsettling
realization that this small, but important lesson would not be taught
at school and exposed to my peers, a generation that needed
to be more active and passionate about protecting the environment.
That
afternoon, I realized a major shortcoming, but an opportunity to improve the human relationship with the environment: education.
Too often in our school and community, I saw environmental
activism as an interest of very few, reserved for “hippies and
tree-huggers.”
I believe that this is a result of a lack of exposure
and immersion into the natural world. Children should, at a very young
age, develop a close relationship with the environment, learn about
local flora and fauna, and appreciate nature.
Certain classes should
promote stewardship, and prevent any apathy towards environmental
issues. Right now, our high school is one of the few that doesn’t offer
an advanced placement environmental science course.
Everyone should be exposed to lessons like the one Mr. Thomas
taught me one afternoon in the Celery Farm. That is why I have made it
a career goal of mine to spread environmental awareness to our
children.
My academic interests in environmental sciences, biology, and
psychology will allow me to pursue a teaching career that instills a
responsibility towards the environment in future generations.
I do not address possibilities of alternative energy, suggest
policy changes to protect endangered animals, or raise possible
government actions to reward energy-efficient habits.
However, I
believe that a shift in our education system to accommodate
environmental awareness is a necessary change, a small step that could
have major and lasting changes in the way we treat nature for years to come.