Young Leaders of Wild Florida’s 2021 Program Comes to a Close
By Lianne D’Arcy, ACT’s Outreach Coordinator
Armed with shovels, shears and smiles, ACT’s Young Leaders for Wild Florida (YLWF) braved the thickets of Tuscawilla Preserve on a Thursday morning in July to remove invasive plants and assist with general land management. The group removed a few bags worth of an invasive species of nightshade and trimmed dog fennel nearby at the preserve’s observation area to clear the view of the prairie and Lake Tuscawilla.
The work day at Tuscawilla is just one of the many ways YLWF participants have explored our environment. The program, hosted by ACT, engages local teens to become Florida’s next generation of environmental leaders. Over the course of this three-week summer program, participants have visited the Ocklawaha Prairie, toured the Santa Fe Zoo, attended a poetry writing workshop, explored underground bat caves and even paddled the Silver River alongside Florida Master Naturalist, Lars Andersen.
While on the Silver River, paddlers passed by glass bottom boats, nesting rookeries, and glided over submerged dugout canoes. Visited by cormorants, alligators and other wildlife species, the young leaders even got the special treat of seeing a manatee glide below their kayaks as they discussed the unique springs and river systems of Florida. In keeping with their mission, the young leaders not only discussed the splendor of the natural world around them but also the tragedy of Florida’s disappearing ecosystems, including the springs they paddled over that day, and the importance of environmental conservation in our area.
“I always love hearing from Lars Andersen, as he has such an intimate knowledge of our lands and waterways,” said Emma Turner, YLWF’s 2021 program leader. “Plus, he’s got the fun facts.”
The YLWF also teamed up with the Cultural Arts Coalition’s Environmental Ambassadors Program, led by NKwanda Jah, to learn more about environmental Justice issues in our community.
While at the poetry writing workshop, participants Nora Parks-Church and Natalie Brooks wrote about sunlight shining on creek water and the dance of nearby damselflies.
“It’s been so incredibly nice,” said Brooks. “I feel that we’re all doing great work.”
Speaking of work, the young leaders also spent time out at ACT’s unopened Santa Fe Springs Preserve where they searched for the most unique piece of trash while cleaning up the riverside property that features two springs.
ACT’s Conservation Events Coordinator, Ema Olmos, accompanied the group to this property and noted, “It is always great going out with groups like this because you never know what thing will spark joy for people out in nature. Of the two springs on site, one being a large second magnitude spring flowing into the Upper Santa Fe River and the other being a tiny fourth magnitude bubbling pool nestled under the forest canopy, the young leaders were all ‘oohs and aahs’ for the smaller sibling.”
No matter the activity, heard at every YLWF excursion are “Ooo-eee!” trail calls, endless laughs, and curious comments about every species spotted.
Though the 2021 program has come to a close, keep an eye out for our call for applications next spring!
Banner image and gallery photos by Lianne D’Arcy, Outreach Coordinator
