RETTEW Supports Hands-On Conservation Education at Lancaster County Youth Conservation School
RETTEW Project Manager Julie Bard Ziegler recently helped lead the Lancaster County Youth Conservation School, a week-long outdoor program that introduces students ages 14-16 to conservation, environmental stewardship, and natural resource careers.
This year’s featured project was developed in partnership with the Historic Ephrata Cloister and inspired by the theme, “Come for the Nature, Stay for the History.” After learning about native plant communities, pollinator habitats, and ecological restoration, student teams developed landscape improvement concepts for different areas of the Cloister grounds and presented their recommendations to Cloister staff and board members. The project will leave a lasting impact as the Historic Ephrata Cloister plans to incorporate elements of the students’ recommendations into future restoration efforts.
The project highlighted the value of community partnerships, bringing together organizations including the Lancaster County Conservation District, Historic Ephrata Cloister, Mennonite Central Committee, Flyway Excavating, and many other volunteers and conservation professionals.
In addition to participating in field activities and project work, students explored careers in engineering, environmental consulting, conservation planning, natural resource management, and related fields. Through conversations with instructors and volunteers, students gained valuable insight into the many career paths available within the environmental profession.
By combining conservation, education, history, and community engagement, the Lancaster County Youth Conservation School continues to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards while building connections that benefit both students and the communities they serve.
Gabbie O'Grady
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