How I personally identify with the land and environment around me.

Nature has always played a big role in my life from a young age. My favorite shows growing up were Octonauts and Wild Kratts and I was always excited to learn more about animals through them. I would help my mom tend to our home garden as well as my pre-school's garden. I enjoyed going on walks in Hubbard Park with our family dog because I would be surrounded by trees. I also knew from a young age that I wanted to study nature and learn all about its intricacies. I loved everything about nature it was hard to narrow down what I wanted to focus on. Then in July of 2023 Vermont flooded. 

I remember walking around Montpelier and watching the streets fill with water at a fast rate. People were getting rescued by canoe and the rain was not stopping. I remember being fascinated by how high the rivers were getting and the speed that they were traveling at. That night my interest in rivers started. I took a class that following fall that reinforced that interest in rivers by explaining their importance and how humans disregard it. We add dams to them, pollute them, and expect that not to affect us negatively. Rivers can be a big threat to human life, like when they flood. They can be very destructive, but they also are home to life and resources that helps humans continue to survive. 

I feel a deep connection to the water because it was what my ancestors used to survive. They were fishermen who lived on a small island off the coast of Portugal. Water was what allowed my ancestors to live and have children, and it still helps people do the same thing today. To me water signifies life, and it is important that people do what they can to help protect it.