As a senior in high school, my service learning project has been one of the most impactful and eye-opening experiences of my educational journey. For my Capstone, I chose to focus on environmental sustainability, particularly on understanding the importance of protecting our environment and community in Philadelphia. This included hands-on service learning with Audubon Mid-Atlantic, focusing on invasive species and the crucial role young people play in preserving the world around them. Looking back, I am most proud of how I was able to turn my passion for environmental care into a project that made a real difference and educated others along the way. One of the most powerful lessons I learned during this project was just how connected we are to the environment. Every decision we make, from how we dispose of trash to what we plant in our gardens, affects the health of our communities. Through working with Audubon Mid-Atlantic, I was able to participate in habitat restoration activities and learn about the challenges facing bird populations and native plants in Philadelphia. One major focus of our service was addressing invasive species, like picking up the honeysuckle with the lopper tool, which threatens native trees that birds and pollinators depend on. Before this project, I didn’t realize how dangerous a single non-native species could be. After helping to remove invasive plants and learning about how they disrupt entire ecosystems, I saw how quickly environmental damage can spread and why proactive care is so important.