As an educator at a New York wildlife sanctuary, I had the pleasure to educate children about the environment, particularly the native animals and plants. Many children I met during my work had never been exposed to undisturbed natural habitats. They lived in urban areas with limited green space. They had never been exposed, as they were not familiar with the species that I was able to recognize from my childhood on Long Island.
Slowly but surely, I began to realize the gravity of what was happening. Familiarity was the foundation of my love and care for the environment. Many of the children I worked with didn’t have any education or personal experience and had little to no knowledge of the natural world.
It is our responsibility, as parents, to stress environmental care and teach children how to understand the effects of ecological crisis. I pray that my children learn from my love of the world and that they can be inspired to be stewards, protectors, and protectors of the planet.
[Maggie Scott is a senior at St. Johns University, where she majors in biology with a focus in veterinary medicine. Maggie is passionate about faith, environmental conservation, and family.]