For the last 30 years in Rockland County our Department of Environmental Resources (DER) and Environmental Management Council ask 5th Grade students from local schools to compete in the Eleanor Burlingham Earth Day Essay, Poster, and Poetry contest and every year we receive the entries I am always incredibly astounded by what we receive.
We all know a picture is worth 1,000 words and the artwork these young bright minds created speaks volumes and paints a promising portrait of hope for our future thanks to a generation of young individuals eager to be active and involved in their community. This contest offers a unique opportunity for the County of Rockland to work with local schools to enhance awareness of efforts that can be undertaken locally to make a difference.
This year the students had to spend time outdoors and make creative pieces about how living things, like plants, animals, and us, all work together and how nature impacts us.
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Out of 46 entries six were recognized, crafted by eight students. Those winners are Mia Bouton of MacArthur Barr Middle School, Darcy Nova-Ramirez, Dariana Duarte, and Angely Olias of Lime Kiln Elementary School, Nicolle Hernandez of Haverstraw Upper Elementary School, Miranda Jones of Valley Cottage Elementary School, and Ryan Kwon and Rayden Boerboom of Cottage Lane Elementary School.
My administration loves the outdoors, and we are actively doing our part to protect the environment for future generations including utilizing 100% US generated wind power, launching of Rockland’s Sustainability Project, and under our Open Space Acquisition Program, saving 172 acres from development in recent years.
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We’ve also utilized some of our ARPA funding to ensure all our families can enjoy the outdoors and reap the health benefits it provides by awarding $10 million in grants to municipalities and nonprofits for two dozen projects that include parks, playgrounds, and gardens across Rockland.
These winners not only honor Ms. Burlingham's legacy by demonstrating an appreciation of the environment but also leave me proud to see the next generation’s deeply rooted commitment to the environment.
We must continue to work together to keep the future of Rockland as bright as it can be.
