Rachel Young, a naturalist with Jefferson Memorial Forest (JMF) is the recipient of the Rising Star Award for Excellence in Environmental Education.
Young has quickly made a name for herself by developing and implementing innovative curriculum programs that connect students to the natural world in meaningful ways. In her first year in this role, she took on the challenge of creating outdoor-focused educational experiences that blend storytelling with hands-on learning, all while aligning with the Jefferson County Public Schools' newly adopted English and language arts curriculum.
Young launched a Kindergarten program in the fall of 2023, alongside her JMF colleagues. The program was an instant hit, receiving rave reviews from both students and teachers for its engaging content and approach. By designing story-time lessons that incorporated outdoor activities, Young was able to bring new energy to the classroom and help young students connect with nature through play and exploration.
Her background as a high school teacher gave her a unique perspective and a wealth of knowledge, enabling her to create an entirely new curriculum for JMF. One of the highlights of her work came last April, when she directed a week of volunteer activities with Mercy High School students. This hands-on experience allowed Young to test several of her newly developed learning modules, which included gamified activities focused on important environmental topics like invasive species, habitat loss and restoration, and the energy web.
The results were impressive: students were actively engaged, moving, laughing, and answering questions as they learned. The interactive, game-based structure of the lessons kept the students energized and motivated, showing just how powerful experiential learning can be when students are given the opportunity to get outside and apply what they’ve learned.
Young's work at JMF has not only helped shape the curriculum but has also inspired a new generation of students to appreciate the beauty of nature and understand the importance of environmental stewardship.
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