Will Kids Today Grow Up to Become The Conservationists of Tomorrow?

EightMile River Fest at Devil's Hopyard State Park drew a good crowd and lots of children on October 12. This bi-ennial event is organized by the EightMile Wild & Scenic River Commission to promote public awareness of the importance of conservation of watershed resources.

The River Fest always features wildlife exhibits and demonstrations for youngsters to help them understand the interrelationship between habitat conservation and survival of animal species. Ranger Russ Miller of the CT DEEP Meigs Point Nature Center at Hammonasset State Park "charmed" children with the opportunity to touch an eastern rat snake during his presentation on forest and shoreline reptiles.

It's easy to hold a child's attention if you've got a snake in your hands but will the natural enthusiasm kids tend to have for animals and the environment translate into action as they get older? That's the topic up for debate at a community forum being hosted by Connecticut Audubon Society, Lyme Land Conservation Trust and Old Lyme Land Trust on Oct. 30.

The forum is entitled "Where is the Next Generation of Conservationists Coming From?" It will address a concern among conservationists, outdoorsmen, sportsmen, environmentalists, foresters, and public health experts that young people are not spending enough time in nature and wilderness activities, and as a result, will not embrace and pass on to future Americans our country’s long commitment to conservation of its natural resources.

“How can we get our kids outdoors and connect them with the natural world?” asks a joint statement from the three organizers. “Can nature compete with computers and smartphones and with organized after-school and weekend activities? What can parents and grandparents, schools, churches and synagogues, non-profit organizations and government do to help?”

The forum will be made up of a panel of local conservations, parents and educators and will be moderated by Milan Bull, Senior Director for Science and Conservation, and Michelle Eckman, Director of Education for Connecticut Audubon Society.

The panelists are: Thaxter Tewsbury, director of Project Oceanology in Groton; Arthur Lerner, co-founder and executive director of F.R.E.S.H. (Food, Resource, Education, Security, Health) in New London; John Sargent, an artist and retired teacher who is active in the New London County Environmental Educators Coalition; Emily Bjornberg, a steward for the Lyme Land Trust and co-founder of its Trekkers youth group; Beth Jones, a research scientist at the Yale School of Public Health and a member of the Region 18 Board of Education.

Members of the audience will be encouraged to share their ideas, experiences, and suggestions. The forum will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Old Lyme First Congregational Church, 2 Ferry Road, Old Lyme. It is free and open to everyone; refreshments will be served.

From a press release issued by the Lyme Land Conservation Trust.