Recently, a Youth Conservation Grant Program was unfolded by the Swampscott Conservancy. Formed in 2018, the Swampscott Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which is dedicated to both the protection and admiration of the wildlife and environment within the town, per the organization’s website.
Increasing the awareness within the town of green spaces and areas of foliage and wildlife is paramount to organization.
The organization provides educational programs to individuals of all ages, ranging from adults to children.
President of the organization, Tonia Bandrowicz, who has had a long-held interest in the environment, said that the organization will be doing a presentation on eelgrass on the beach this summer for children, with someone from the Environmental Protection Agency in attendance to run a net through the eelgrass to demonstrate the type of life that is present within.
Bandrowicz also said that the organization had partnered with the Unitarian Universalist Church several weeks ago, where children were able to go inside of an inflatable whale, giving children the opportunity to learn more about whales.
In addition to teaching about wildlife, the organization also helps to tend to the trails located around town, Bandrowicz saying that they have opened up trails not just in Swampscott, but also in neighboring towns, which helps to give people the opportunity to have more hiking experiences which, enabling them to see the beautiful nature of the areas.
“One thing that we feel is important,” Bandrowicz said, “is getting kids involved with conservation issues with the environment — getting them outside.” “We feel it’s important for them to get involved and do something…they’re going to be…the next generation of environmental
stewards going forward,” Bandrowicz added.
The newly unfolded Youth Conservation Grant Program would offer up to $500 for projects by students who are in Grades 6-12. Students would work alongside mentors such as a parent, guardian, or teacher to collaborate on these projects with the organization, as well as the Open Space Committee in town.
“Part of our goal…is to get more people involved with environmental issues and conservation issues,” Bandrowicz said, “…it’s important to utilize what we have, and where possible, expand open space.”
Bandrowicz expects the feedback and interest from the community, both from adults and school-aged individuals, in the Youth Conservation Grant Program to be positive. Bandrowicz said that at Swampscott High School, there was a program called the Green Scholars, where students who were interested in environmental causes could meet to discuss those environmental causes there was a Green Scholars program at Swampscott High School, in where students who were interested in environmental causes met.
“Kids are…definitely aware of issues like climate change and want something to be done,” Bandrowicz said, adding that the organization’s goal in providing the Youth Conservation Grant Program, ultimately, is to get the youth engaged and involved in hands-on projects to help further stewardship of the environment.
Per documentation on the organization’s website, the grant would support a variety of projects, ranging from conservation improvements on public lands to education and outreach programs to support the Lynn and Swampscott Community.
