Ridgeway teenager recognized for environmental stewardship with bursary

A Ridgeway teenager is one of six recipients of a bursary from the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Foundation (NPCF).

Earlier this week, a ceremony was held at Ball’s Falls in Lincoln to honour these young minds and hand them a cheque for $500 to benefit their upcoming post-secondary education.

Molly O’Connor, a 17-year-old graduate of Greater Fort Erie Secondary School, will leave for Queen’s University in Kingston next week to earn a Bachelor of Science and Education.

“I’m really grateful for this opportunity,” O’Connor told Fort Erie Radio.

“School is expensive,” she added, noting the $500 has already been put toward tuition.

Nature has always been a place O’Connor has enjoyed being, often visiting outdoor spaces and parks with her grandmother.

“That’s what makes it more meaningful,” she said, referring to the bursary coming from an environmental organization.

She is unsure where she will end up once university is completed, but said she would like to either become a teacher or work for a conservation or parks service or agency.

In a news release, the foundation says the award ceremony was a “celebration of these students’ dedication to environmental stewardship.”

Following the presentations, the students enjoyed a guided hike of the Ball’s Falls Conservation Area, “providing them with a meaningful connection to the natural world as they prepare to further their studies this September.”

It was an “inspiring day” as the foundation recognized these young students, said Barbara Greenwood, acting chair of the NPCF board of directors.

“The Conservation Education Bursary is our way of investing in their future and, in turn, the future of conservation. We are confident that their contributions will be felt both locally and beyond as they continue on their educational journeys,” said Greenwood in the recent release.

The conservation education bursary, established with the support of the Fort Erie Conservation Women’s Auxiliary, has been instrumental in encouraging students to pursue careers in conservation, environment, forestry, natural resources, and wildlife management, said the news release.

“This year’s recipients were selected from a highly competitive group of applicants who demonstrated outstanding commitment and potential in their chosen fields.”

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