Natural Resources Conservation Academy

05/21/2026

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Bees are one of the most important pollinators that contribut to our food and ecosystems, but they are declining at an alarming rate. Help combat this by spreading awareness about the harmful effects of using pesticides, habitat loss, and how actions like planting native and buying local honey to support your local bee farmers can help these pollinators! We need them as much as they need us. 🐝🍯🌷
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"Over the last 75 years, bee populations have decreased over 50%, while Human populations have increased by over 130%. Bees are responsible for commercial food production that powers modern cities and the world."- savethebees.com
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05/19/2026

When you join NRCA for environmental action.. and end up becoming a content creator too 🌿🎥
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05/14/2026

Here are some more highlights from our EDS students from this year's Environmental Changemakers Showcase! 🪻🌸💐
So proud of them!!
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05/12/2026

Highlight of our CAP students presenting their projects from this year's showcase! So proud of our students and their work!! 📊🌿💙
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05/11/2026

Check out the NRCA blog to read Lily’s parting words from the EDS program!

05/10/2026

Check out Mary's reflection on her time as an EDS mentor within the NRCA!

05/08/2026

UConn's NRCA Eco Digital Storytellers program has spent two years connecting high school students and teachers across Connecticut, exploring environmental topics in their own communities and learning to tell those stories through mapping, film, and digital media. 🌿

Students have reported greater confidence with technology, a deeper understanding of environmental issues, and a growing interest in science and media careers. The work is real and so is the impact! 🌍

Recently, the program lost its federal funding. The team is committed to keeping it going, but they need support to maintain the full experience for students and teachers across Connecticut. 💙

If this kind of work matters to you, consider supporting the NRCA. 🔗 [https://giving.uconn.edu/campaigns/60852/donations/new?designation=naturalresourcesconservationacademy&]

Join or learn more about our EDS Program! 📷 [https://nrca.uconn.edu/eds/]

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05/07/2026

Our EDS students presented their student projects during this year's Environmental Changemakers Showcase! Here are some highlights from the showcase! 🪻🌸💐
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05/06/2026

Check out Connecticut Public short video on NRCA student and faculty!

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Tomás Gutiérrez says he first learned about biodiversity in sixth grade.

Now part of the Natural Resources Conservation Academy at UConn (), Gutiérrez has spent several months carrying out his environmental action project, where he leads activities with students teaching them about biodiversity.

Laura Cisneros directs the academy.

Cisneros says that while the program is open to all students, she values connecting with Latino students and providing opportunities she didn’t necessarily have growing up. Her grandparents immigrated from Oaxaca, Mexico, where they spent a lot of time outdoors, but when they moved to Chicago, that connection was severed.

“I think those opportunities to engage in environmental programs were probably present, but I just didn't see myself as belonging in them,” she said.

Now, Cisneros is intentional about how she presents the program and supports students who need it.

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Tomás Gutiérrez dice que aprendió por primera vez sobre la biodiversidad en sexto grado.

Ahora, como parte de la Natural Resources Conservation Academy en UConn, Gutiérrez ha pasado varios meses llevando a cabo su proyecto de acción ambiental, donde ha trabajado con estudiantes realizando actividades para enseñarles sobre la biodiversidad.

Laura Cisneros dirige la academia.

Cisneros dice que, aunque el programa está abierto a todos los estudiantes, valora mucho poder conectar con estudiantes latinos y brindarles oportunidades que ella no necesariamente tuvo al crecer. Sus abuelos emigraron de Oaxaca, México, donde pasaban mucho tiempo al aire libre, pero cuando se mudaron a Chicago, esa conexión se perdió.

“Creo que esas oportunidades para participar en programas ambientales probablemente existían, pero yo simplemente no me veía perteneciendo a ellos”, dijo.

Ahora, Cisneros es muy intencional en la manera en que presenta el programa y en cómo apoya a sus estudiantes.

📷 Visuals, Editing and Caption by Martha Castillo

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