Congratulations to Alex, Unquowa eighth grader, an avid birder and an active volunteer with Connecticut Audubon Society, who has been named an L.L. Bean “Outdoor Hero.” The announcement was made on Monday, June 21 at Connecticut Audubon Society’s Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary in Fairfield. Alex received the award from Barbara Noe, Manager of L.L. Bean’s South Windsor store, and J.P. Fischer, L.L. Bean’s Active Department Outdoor Discovery School Manager.
Alex is the first child ever to win the L.L. Bean “Outdoor Heroes” Award, which is given each year to a select number of individuals who are helping to preserve outdoor spaces and activities for all to enjoy and are encouraging others to do so as well. Nominations are open to any individual who has made a significant contribution to creating, maintaining, teaching about or encouraging the use of recreational space and the species that inhabit it. “This year L.L. Bean received well over 100 nominations,” said Barbara Noe. “And one name rose to the top of the list: Alexander.”
Alex had no idea that he was receiving an award when he came to Birdcraft on Monday at 10 a.m. with his grandfather, Jim Orrico. Alex thought he was joining Judy Richardson and other CAS volunteers in doing a nesting bird survey in the 6-acre Birdcraft Sanctuary. Instead, and in the presence of his family and CAS staff and volunteers, L.L. Bean’s Barbara Noe and J.P. Fischer presented Alex with an engraved lantern, a $500 L.L. Bean gift card, and a $5,000 check to Connecticut Audubon Society in his honor. “Alexander has set a fabulous example not only for his peers but also for all the adults who have been touched by his commitment to birds and the environment,” said J.P. Fischer. “As the person who nominated you wrote, you are truly extraordinary. You are a hero.”
“Alex is the kind of young person who inspires us all to do more and to do better,” said Robert Martinez, President of Connecticut Audubon Society. “Our organization is so fortunate to have Alex as a member and a dedicated volunteer. He is such an incredible role model for everyone who meets him.”
J.P. Fischer of L.L. Bean explained that through Alex’s nomination, a wonderful story unfolded, and he read excerpts from the nomination: “In the 19th century Mabel Osgood Wright engaged the talents of her friends with a commitment to social action to establish the Connecticut Audubon Society. Her efforts were a defining example of citizen science: the collaborative effort of people volunteering together as advocates for birds, wildlife and environmental conservation to realize a shared vision. A century later, Alexander exemplifies Mrs. Wright’s underlying message that every motivated person can make a difference in how the greater community perceives and protects nature.”
Fischer continued, “Alex is a perfect example for other students and novices of how citizen science can be accomplished by anyone of any age. At the age of 10, Alex had a 3rd grade project about birds. He brought in field guides and binoculars to help his classmates learn about the birds around them. Alex’s journey of engaging others in citizen science had begun! When Alex’s current school, The Unquowa School, set up the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Project Feeder Watch, Alex served as a ‘consultant’ to the faculty coordinating the project. Alex designed posters, created the calendar, posted pictures and assisted with tallying data. He helped younger students identify and count birds and served as a mentor to children new to birding. Alex’s own birding blog enables him to document bird species, their habitats and the conservation concerns they face, and he then share this information with others with the tap of a finger.”
The camp season this year was nothing short of sensational! With a full enrollment each week for both the Sweet Peas and our older campers, and the the help of an amazing staff, everyone had a fantastic time. The Sweet Peas enjoyed learning about different types of produce and how to care for them in our raised beds. They also did a bit of cooking with Chef Peter using the vegetables they learned about. Their teachers and counselors also made sure there was time for science, arts and crafts, and a bit of water play in some wacky sprinklers!
