While a senior at Downingtown High School (Downingtown, PA) I was involved with a special project as part of the Ecology Club.  That year, the club partnered up with Springton Manor Farm, a part of Chester County Parks and Recreation Department (CCPRD), to design a proposal for an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant.  The grant was for Environmental Education and the chosen topic was a butterfly house that would educate the public about butterflies, their role as pollinators and also about ecosystems and community relationships and conservation efforts.  I was involved with the group that started the process.  I helped develop what the overall project goals would be for the house - I was interested specifically in education and the community.  That June, we received  $4,945 from the EPA to build the Butterfly House.  Springton Manor matched the grant in labor and supplies.

    I returned two years later and spent 2002 - 2003 working at Springton Manor Farm's Butterfly House.  It was a challenging and rewarding experience that taught me a great deal about natural resources, butterflies and a diverse assortment of community outreach topics.  I wrote and obtained USDA permits for the house and oversaw many of the regulations to meet code.  I helped choose, order, and install native plants in the house.

    Later, to fulfill educational and outreach goals, I specifically dealt with contacting local schools, assisted living communities, home-school groups, and other community-interest groups to promote the butterfly house and its educational goals.  I also contacted numerous media venues including the local radio station and several newspapers, all of whom offered promotional spots.  I went and spoke on the radio and was featured in a number of news articles.  

    I helped develop text and interactive designs for a series of education signs situated in and around the butterfly house and also helped build these signs.  The second year, I helped develop a volunteer training program and later ran it and scheduled volunteers.   I also coordinated, planned, and conducted numerous public educational programs to help the community realize their role in the environment.  I worked on the development of numerous brochures, and a grand opening ceremony and program which included local speakers as well as government officials.  This September 7th dedication with CCPRD and the public was the capstone for the summer's work.

    At the end of the summer, I wrote an opening-year status report, and a five-year operational, educational, and outreach timeline which the park and house keep on hand and from which they tailor goals.

   I feel fortunate to have had the experience developing, opening, operating, and promoting a public project.  Working with the Parks Department, meeting many helpful people, educating and reaching out to the public, and learning a great deal about roles of different species (both butterflies, fish and plants) in the environment in natural and enclosed conditions was a rewarding experience which provided invaluable experience.