Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy recognized 6 budding naturalists from area schools with the Roger Tory Peterson Young Naturalist Awards for 2012.
This curriculum-integrated outdoor classroom program recognizes students who demonstrate a naturalistic intelligence and keen field observation skills in a nature journal.
It is inspired by the life of Roger Tory Peterson, world-renowned field guide author and illustrator, who was encouraged by a teacher to follow his leadings to interpret nature in art and writing.
Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy formally engaged in this program 2 years ago by working with schools and serving as judges of more than 200 nature journals submitted by local students.
Each award winner received a check as well as a copy of the Peterson Field Guide to Birds. Mimi Westervelt presented the awards to the students.
Winners this year were: Cristina Peraza (Ashburn Elementary School, $50), Jonathan Mulyar (Waterford Elementary School, $50), Elry Navarro (Heritage High School, $100), Dominque Lategano (Loudoun County High School, $100), Ellen Wiener (Loudoun Valley High School, $100), and Eryn Massey (Tuscarora High School, $100).
Congratulations Peterson Young Naturalists! Keep at it!