As a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras I supervised a 22-member community group concerned with sustainable development projects including aquaculture, organic gardening and community reforestation
Scott Hardy Personal Statement
I am a graduate student studying Environmental Management in the Department of Natural Resources at Cornell University. My study and research interests focus on how to progressively improve environmental conservation practices in the United States and internationally in developing countries. I have had experience in the field of conservation as an undergraduate Environmental Geography major at Ohio University, where as a member of GTU, an International Geographical Honor Society, I participated in numerous campus recycling initiatives and helped organize fundraisers for environmental awareness events on campus.
Since graduation I have furthered my commitment to environmental stewardship as a junior high school environmental science teacher and as an agriculture extension agent in the Peace Corps.
As a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras I supervised a 22-member community group concerned with sustainable development projects including aquaculture, organic gardening and community reforestation. I worked with USAID and CARE International on fundraising events and community resource management projects. Together with local community leaders we organized regional workshops on Integrated Pest Management, Women in Agriculture, Medicinal Plants and Environmental Management.
Also while in Honduras I spent much of my time working with the local school, teaching environmental ethics and sustainable agriculture. Both the students and teachers were eager to learn and ambitious to better the community. Together we accomplished many projects including planting 5 tree nurseries to help reforest the watershed and maintaining an organic school garden. The Peace Corps presented the importance of the human aspect of resource conservation, and encouraged the continuance of my education in community-based resource management.
It has become my mission to improve environmental sustainability through conservation and education. My goals of preserving the welfare of humankind and the earth are echoed by Annie's Homegrown, and their commitment to environmental stewardship. The Annie's scholarship will help me pursue my education in Environmental Management and continue to speak up for the preservation of a beautiful planet that lacks its own voice.
