Sometimes, the best way to learn about conservation is to take a hike. Literally.
CFACT Collegians at the University of Maine, Southern Illinois University, and the University of Central Florida spent some quality time outdoors the past several weekends, leading various conversations about conservation, energy, and what it means to be responsible environmental stewards.
SIU Carbondale Collegians show off their CFACT flag while enjoying the fall scenery on a conservation hike
From the mountains of Maine to the forests of Illinois and the arboretums of sunny Florida, students discovered that protecting the environment involves more than just talking about it.
At the University of Maine, CFACT Collegian Payton Warren couldn’t have picked a better time to hit the trails. With Maine’s fall foliage in full swing, students headed up Chick Hill in Eddington, surrounded by colorful autumn leaves. After three hours of hiking, fresh air, and conversation, the group headed back to campus for a well-earned lunch.
But the scenic views weren’t the only thing on the agenda.
Students gather for a mid-hike selfie at Chick Hill in Eddington, Maine
Along the trail, Payton encouraged students to consider the environmental trade-offs associated with different energy sources. Maine’s solar subsidies for large corporations were a hot topic of conversation, as well as the effects wind turbines can have on bird populations.
After all, what’s the point of protecting the environment if we aren’t considering the land and wildlife affected along the way?
A little further south, CFACT Collegian Sydney Smith brought students to Giant City State Park in Illinois for a nature walk along the Giant City Nature Trail.
Surrounded by the park’s natural beauty, the group enjoyed some fresh air and sunny rays while learning about land trusts and their role in conservation.
Valerie Pastrana hands out CFACT stickers and informational flyers to fellow students before hitting the trails for a conservation hike
Meanwhile, at the University of Central Florida, CFACT Collegian Valerie Pastrana turned a walk through the UCF Arboretum into a conservation trivia challenge.
Armed with a homemade mini-game, Valerie put her fellow hikers’ environmental knowledge to the test.
What does it mean to be a good steward of the land? Who helps fund wildlife conservation? And does conservation mean people can never use natural resources? These were just a few of the questions Valerie posed to her peers as they made their way along the trail.
Rather than simply admiring the scenery, students were encouraged to think about their own responsibility to protect it.
CFACT Collegians lead their peers along the trails and through conversations about conservation and environmental stewardship
Across all three campuses, CFACT Collegians demonstrated that environmental stewardship doesn’t have to begin in a classroom or a state or federal office — it can begin with students just like themselves.
Now that’s a step in the right direction!
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The post Take a Hike! CFACT Collegians Hit the Trails for Conservation was first published by the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT), and is republished here with permission. Please support their efforts.
