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While some older Mountain State residents are worrying about ways to avoid leaving the planet in shambles for future generations, plenty of younger residents are already doing something about it. They were honored for their efforts during the 2024 Youth Environmental Day at North Bend State Park this spring.
West Virginia's Youth Environmental Program is not a recent creation. The first event was held back in May 1964 at Holly River State Park. Since then, the annual event has moved to North Bend, and has become a showcase of the work being done by young people through their environmental and conservation projects.
While no awards were presented to groups or individuals from the Northern Panhandle this year, we hope to see some of our local youth inspired to put forth some projects next year.
According to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, groups enrolled in YEP collected 875 bags of trash over the past year. They recycled more than 9,000 pounds of aluminum, 62,000 pounds of plastic, 100,000 pounds of steel and 80,000 pounds of paper. They also planted more than 500 trees and cleaned trash from 210 miles of roadways, in addition to community areas and streams.
WVDEP says those young people and their organizations accumulated volunteer hours that equaled an estimated savings of $11.3 million for the state.
Makes you take a look at what you have done lately, doesn't it?
Certainly, YEP participants don't have to wonder. They know they are doing good things for their state and planet. For that, we say not only congratulations, but thank you!