For as long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated by the world around me.   Unfortunately, over the years, I have been forced to witness its swift destruction. Whether it be paving a wetland to build a parking lot or clear cutting a forest, these practices demonstrate the extremely selfish and unsustainable practices of humankind.  Man often takes the resources that these ecosystems provide without thinking of the consequences that their actions may have. Habitat fragmentation, destruction by invasive species---these are all things that can be prevented with forethought. My passion and ultimate goal is to prevent further destruction from careless planning and action to occur in the ecosystems that remain on Earth today. I strongly believe that, by educating the public (schools, businesses, governmental administrations etc.) on ways to live sustainably and conserve it will be possible to preserve what little is left of the environment today.  I want more than anything for my children and my children's children to have the opportunity to witness and explore the amazing things that nature and the environment have to offer.  It is for this reason that I am driven to do everything in my power to spread the word of conservation because the environment represents and helps sustain everything I love in this world. (ELEA As.1)