Friends of the Forest Preserves

Name: Haider Baig
School: Graduated from Curie Metropolitan High School in 2014
Crew: Little Red Schoolhouse

When I think of a model Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps crew member, Haider Baig was the first to come to mind. Not only is Haider an exceptional student, but he is also a responsible individual who puts family first. Haider will be an incoming Freshman at DePaul University after graduating from Curie Metropolitan High School. Surprisingly, he considers doing household chores as hobby due to the amount of time he puts into them, as well as the importance of supporting his family. He enjoys reading and exploring new areas and environments. Haider hopes this six-week experience at Little Red Schoolhouse will help him develop his ability to communicate and collaborate with his current and future peers. He wants to receive his MBA at DePaul and try to influence the people around him to make smarter, greener choices. No matter what path he chooses to take, the future of this CCLC crew member is bright.

By: Jaime Davila, Apprentice Crew Leader for the Little Red Schoolhouse crew, Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps

Jaime began his career with the Student Conservation Association in his Junior year of high School at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. He enjoys basketball, food, air, sleep and the internet.

Name: Anna Westmoreland
Age: 16
School: Northside Prep
Grade: Incoming Senior
Crew: River Trails

1. What is something you are most passionate about? The environment, the responsibility to take care of it. The environment is something I want to continue to care for and to study in the future.

2. Is this your first conservation job? And if so, what are you most excited for? Yes, this is my first job in conservation. I’m excited for everything; getting rid of invasive species, learning even more about the environment and certain plants.

3. How did you hear about this particular summer program? My biology teacher knows I’m interested in conservation and she directed me towards this job.

4. Why do you think conservation is important? I know that the rising problem of climate change is something that we are dealing with now, and it’s important to do our best to not only maintain the problem, but to try and fix it as well.

5. What is a personal story you have about an experience with nature? Growing up I use to bike everywhere and that helped to foster this love I have for nature. When you spend so much time outdoors early on in your youth, you grow a bond with nature that begins in your childhood.

6. A place you want to go to? Hiking on the Appalachian Trail.

By: Jenny Kulb, Apprentice Crew Leader for the River Trails Crew, Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps

This is Jenny’s third season working at River Trails. Jenny graduated from Evanston Township High School in 2013. She currently attends Indiana University in Bloomington, where she is getting a double major in English, with an emphasis in Creative Writing and in East Asian Languages & Culture, with an emphasis in Japanese. In her free time, Jenny likes to take pictures of her food, watch Netflix, and go for runs.

Learn more about the Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps!

Name: Alec Alving
Age: 17
Grade: Incoming Senior
Crew: Dan Ryan/San Ridge

As an Apprentice Crew Leader in the Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps, I can tell you that this summer program is only the next step to a life-long dedication to the environment. I have the pleasure of working with 10 incredible high school students coming from different parts of the Beverly area.

One great crew member is Alec Alving. After not being accepted to the CCLC  last summer, Alec reapplied and became part of the Dan Ryan/Sand Ridge crew. He is eager to learn more about nature and meet new people. For him, having the opportunity to work at Dan Ryan, the place where he would ride his bike along side his dad, is perfect. Alec looks forward to invasive removal and to making difference in the world.

By: Gloria Orozco, Apprentice Crew Leader for the Dan Ryan/Sand Ridge Crew, Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps

Volunteering and working in the forest preserves for the past 5 years, Gloria has gone from a sophomore in high school volunteering three times a year, to being involved in conservation year-round.

Not only is Gloria a leader in Friends’ CCLC, she is also a member of our Forest Preserve Leadership Corps.