(Left to right) BHS Students Abby Goblick, Sid Gupta, and Emma Pautz co-founded the Barrington Environmental Establishment (BEE), and worked with the Land Trust to launch the Student Stewardship Team for high school students.

Students age 14 and older can obtain community service hours and help preserve the Barrington’s natural environment by participating in the new Student Stewardship Team launched by the Barrington Land Conservation Trust.

The opportunity was introduced in April at Barrington High School in coordination with a student-led group, Barrington Environmental Establishment (BEE). Members of the Barrington High School Interact Club and Environmental Science Club also attended.

All high school age students are welcome to participate, regardless of what school you attend.

Download the Release Form and Student Commitment Form for Student Stewardship Team

To learn more, email Cindy Elder, Executive Director of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust, at cindyelder@blct.org.

“We’d like to create more ways for people in Barrington, especially students, to get involved with the environment,” said freshman Siddharth “Sid” Gupta, a co-founder of BEE. “Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and we can make the biggest impact if everyone gets involved.”

The Land Trust received $850 in seed funding to establish the Student Stewardship Team from the New England Grassroots Environment Fund, with a goal of creating meaningful pathways for youth to work together on environmental issues.

Students tackle invasive plants at St. Andrews Farm.

Depending on the students’ interest and the time of year, volunteer work may involve outdoor experiences such as trail maintenance, clean ups, planting, and special projects involved in the maintenance of Land Trust properties. Students can also contribute their skills in photography, film making, graphic design, writing for publications or social media, research, and other activities.

“It is vital for young people to advocate for environmental issues, as it is not only the earth they are preserving, but their future,” said BHS sophomore Emma Pautz, a co-founder of BEE.

The Land Trust will provide experienced adult supervision; no power tools will be used. Work opportunities will be scheduled with consideration for student schedules, including activities on weekends and school vacations.

“The only way we can tackle problems such as climate change is to get together as a community,” said BHS sophomore Abigail “Abby” Goblick, a co-founder of BEE.

The Barrington Land Conservation Trust, a nonprofit organization founded in 1979, owns nearly 300 acres of open space in Barrington. Land Trust volunteers care for these properties and also assist the Town in caring for town-owned conservation land, including Osamequin Nature Preserve and St. Andrews Farm.

For more information on the Barrington Land Conservation Trust, visit www.blct.org.