Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2021 - 44

GOVERNOR'S
YOUTH COUNCIL
for Hunting, Fishing,
and Conservation
by Emma Barrett
I applied to the Governor's Youth Council for Hunting, Fishing,
and Conservation as an incoming senior in high school. Sure, I
only had one year to create a positive impact, but that one year
helped me expand upon one of my life goals-to be a masterful
steward of Pennsylvania ecosystems.
As a child growing up in northeastern Pennsylvania, I
had an abundance of pristine creeks, luscious forests, and the
Appalachian Mountains as my playground. My parents are
Monroe County transplants-they were as new to the outdoors
as I was during this time. We explored our new world together,
slowly gaining familiarity in a new territory. I flipped logs in
the woods and found salamanders, searched for frogs in the
nearby lake, and starry-eyed walked through the local bog. I
knew I loved the outdoors, but I did not develop the initiative
to protect it until I was older.
Throughout my younger years, I began noticing how
individual actions impacted larger ecosystems. My local lake
experienced many problems-litter, eroding banks, and the
presence of harmful bacteria, which all had negative implications
to the water quality. This influenced me to shift my efforts
Emma Barrett conducting stream samples on the Buckwha
Creek, Carbon County.
towards becoming more eco-conscious. That, too, was not
enough. I began to realize that " not hurting " the environment is
too little. We need to actively protect the environment.
From there, I joined my high school's Envirothon team,
where I learned about aquatic species, invasives, and habitat
management techniques. I also worked with my county's
Penn State Extension, Master Watershed Steward Program, on
outreach efforts concerning responsible water management.
I developed the knowledge and confidence through these
programs to apply for the Governor's Youth Council for
Hunting, Fishing, and Conservation.
As a council member, I filmed a Cold Weather Life Jacket
public service announcement and drafted a letter about
antlerless deer licensing to a state representative. I met other
conservation-minded students from all over Pennsylvania.
Although my tenure was short, the opportunities were endless.
I am leaving Pennsylvania for college, but I will never be
anything less than grateful for growing up in Pennsylvania. I
not only grew up in nature, I learned how to care for it. I love
the environment, and I love caring for it even more.
Emma Barrett holding the 1st place trophy at the 2019
Monroe County High School Envirothon Competition.
44
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * September/October 2021
Emma Barrett recording a cold water life jacket PSA for
the Governor's Youth Council for Hunting, Fishing, and
Conservation at Preacher's Camp Boat Launch, Carbon County.
www.fishandboat.com
photos-courtesy of Emma Barrett
http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2021

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