A new generation of leaders is forming in some of the most remote corners of Barrington. Armed with clippers, weed wrenches, shovels, bow saws, trash grabbers and other human-powered tools, they collaborate and work toward shared goals while caring for our natural open spaces.
Join us on Wed., June 4, at 6 pm for a presentation by graduating high school seniors on the Student Stewardship Team of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust. This event, held in partnership with the Barrington Public Library, will take place in the Salem Family Auditorium.
The Land Trust will hold a brief Annual Meeting before the presentation. A reception in the Collis Family Gallery will follow the event. All are welcome.
More than 30 high school students between the age of 14 and 18 have participated on the Student Stewardship Team since its founding in May 2023. Working in small teams, they help the Land Trust in variety of ways, from physical tasks like trail maintenance and planting, to specialized skills like website design, photography, film, research and event management.
Hear first-hand from students who have been volunteering far from the view of most townspeople. Now in its third year of operation, the Student Stewardship Team is cultivating leadership skills and civic responsibility at the grassroots level — literally.
“Whether we were clearing trails, removing invasive species, or cleaning up the beach, there was something incredibly satisfying about getting our hands dirty together,” says senior Henry Schultz.
“There was no competition – no pressure – and it was just us, outside, doing work that made a real difference. In a world where so much of our time is spent behind screens, this kind of connection to nature and to each other feels so refreshing.”
In the last 12 months, the Student Stewardship Team has contributed nearly 500 hours of volunteer time. They have worked on many properties owned by the Land Trust as well as town-owned properties including Osamequin Nature Preserve, St. Andrews Farm, Doug Rayner Wildlife Refuge and Veteran’s Memorial Park.
Each of the student speakers is a recipient of the Russo Scholarship, awarded to graduating seniors on the Student Stewardship Team who have completed more than 20 hours of service by the time they apply. The scholarships are made possible by Barrington resident and retired inventor Ronald Russo.
The students’ work enhances the ongoing stewardship activities of the Tuesday Trails Team, an adult team which meets monthly to work on conservation properties, and the adult property stewards who monitor the Land Trust’s properties monthly.
“I started volunteering for the Student Stewardship Team at the end of my sophomore year of high school, when the program was in its infancy,” recalls senior Indie Lamb.
“What I found was an amazing community which I will treasure. I have always been a proponent of preserving wild spaces. However, it was not until I started volunteering on the Student Stewardship Team that I truly understood why it was important. These spaces provided habitat for native plant species, wildlife and for human enjoyment. My time volunteering with the team has brought me closer to local lands and has fostered my appreciation for the natural spaces we have in Barrington.”
Thanks to our 2025 Land Trust Learning Series Sponsors!
Meridian Custom Homes ~ Providence
Charles E. Millard, Inc. General Contractors – Bristol
Tiffany’s Salon & Spa – Barrington
PODS Swimming – East Providence