The junior naturalist program has been in place at Westwood Hills Nature Center for 30 years, with the goal of fostering responsibility, community service, initiative, teamwork and leadership skills in youth in grades 7 – 12. This year, junior naturalists not only helped serve 320 summer camp participants but also maintained the water gardens and water fall area, took care of the educational animals and volunteered at community events. In addition to being recognized by the city council, the junior naturalists received a letter of recommendation and passes to The Rec Center ice arena and Aquatic Park.

Junior naturalists in photo: (back row, left to right) are Aaron Casey-Fix, Silas Cowell, Anders Logan, Henry Weig, Indigo Schoneman, Angela Dederich, Chasen Elkins, West Humlicek-Spindler, (middle row, left to right) Lilly Johnson, Noah Bates, Isla Brace, Lucille Burgeson, River Muggli, Lucy Murray, Nora Lindeman, Hutton Newhall, Katia Rubinchik, Kieran Weber, (front row, left to right) Kaylee Crump, Abby Erdmann, Sophia Stevens, Ali Auerbach and Mara Runyan

Not pictured: Shiloh Anderson-Landis, Serena Bovee, Revaya Davis, Bella de la Luna-Landis, Julia Flory, Elise Hogg, Cole Jullie, Catherine Kotowski, Modesty Manion, Nico Paterakis, Elliot Peckham, Anna Rosen, Nina Rossiter, Arwen Sawyer, Lylian Sorheim, Otis Trachsel and Audrey Winecoff