‘You have the power’

Over 90 students from Jose Marti Freshman Academy in Union City got a glimpse of the impact of environmental protection on the world with a trip to Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus. During the trip on Thursday, Sept. 24, students conducted water conservation field experiments and participated in eco-cruises to observe local plant and animal life.
On hand during the trip was Captain Bill Sheehan, who has lived most of his life in Union City and Secaucus, and who founded the Hackensack Riverkeeper in 1997. Hackensack Riverkeeper is part of the national Riverkeeper nonprofit environmental organization.

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“The [Hackensack] Riverkeeper talks about the balance of environmental preservation and development.” – Daniel Gurry
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“It really drives home the idea that if there’s something you want to see change in the world, you have the power to change it yourself,” said Daniel Gurry, a history teacher who spearheads the trip every year. “It’s important that they can see that someone from their own community can impact their world and change it for the better.”

More students each year

Gurry noted that this year’s trip had the most students ever. The trip was part of environmental science and freshman seminar courses that work to teach students how to be leaders.
In addition to getting hands-on experience at testing water quality and observing osprey nests (sometimes called fish eagles), students were able to learn about various volunteer opportunities, such as river cleanups and programs for bilingual students.
“When you’re talking about open space in Hudson County, these watersheds back here are the largest portions of underdeveloped land,” Gurry said. “There’s such a development boom, so people want to move here. The [Hackensack] Riverkeeper talks about the balance of environmental preservation and development.”

Steven Rodas can be reached at srodas@hudsonreporter.com.