by Sudha Sudhaker ‘21

The Nature Conservation Club has begun at Sherwood, and its aim is to empower students to take action in order to maintain a cleaner environment and preserve wildlife and nature. “The environment has always been a passion of mine, and the club is just another way it can be a part of my everyday life,” said Co-president Mackenzie Samartzis.

The club brings awareness to environmental issues and provides opportunities for activism in the community to help find solutions to these issues. Whether it’s visiting conservation parks or going on nature hikes, the Nature Conservation club is ideal for those who wish to promote stewardship of the environment. The Nature Conservation Club allows students to directly interact with nature, as they can help set up gardens and marshes on Sherwood property.

The students also get involved with local sites in need of change, such as conservation of the Chesapeake Bay. Members of the club help find ways to fight for effective, science-based solutions to pollution of the Chesapeake Bay and other local rivers and streams.

The club is sponsored by AP Environmental teacher Laura Dinerman, who is a large supporter of living green and protecting natural resources. When deciding to sponsor the club, Dinerman was inspired by the students who were determined to use their voice to draw attention to major issues affecting the environment . Dinerman emphasized the need to empower others in order to gain support for such important issues that are threatening nature, such as global warming or destruction of animal habitats. “You have to really work hard to make a change and the more people you can get on board, the better you are going to be,” said Dinerman.