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This summer, Lancaster Mennonite 10th grader Liam Dangler took his passion for the environment to the next level through the Wildlife Leadership Academy’s Conservation Ambassador Training Program. Liam attended the “Bass” field school in Madisonburg, PA, where he spent five days immersed in hands-on learning about aquatic life, stream health, and conservation strategies.
“It was such a great experience,” Liam shared. “I really liked how everything we did connected to real-world conservation. We weren’t just learning in a classroom—we were out in the field, getting our hands wet.”
Hands-On Conservation Work
They spent time in streams near camp where, “We studied macroinvertebrates in the streams to see how healthy they were,” Liam explained. “We also went electrofishing to identify the types of fish living there and assess the overall stream quality.”
On a fun day trip to Bald Eagle State Park, Liam and his group worked with the PA Fish & Boat Commission. Liam’s group also participated in habitat-building activities. “We learned about how the PA Fish & Boat Commission builds structures in lakes to improve fish habitats,” he said. “It showed us how much planning and effort goes into keeping ecosystems healthy.”
Tackling Real-World Challenges
One of the most engaging activities for Liam was a mock town hall, where students were assigned environmental issues to research and present to a panel. Liam’s team represented the regional agricultural society, which focused on the problem of excess fertilizer in the Susquehanna River, harming smallmouth bass populations.
“Our group suggested that farmers use crop rotation to reduce soil erosion, as well as riparian buffers around streams to help stop runoff of sediment, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash,” Liam explained. “It was a challenge to think about solutions that were realistic and helpful for both the environment and the people who live here.
Looking Toward the Future
Liam’s time at the Wildlife Leadership Academy only deepened his interest in environmental studies. “I’m really interested in pursuing either environmental engineering or environmental resource management in the future,” he said. He has already connected with Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences, based on connections from the Wildlife Leadership team.
Back at LMH, Liam continues to pursue his passion. He is taking biology this year and hopes to add classes in fish & wildlife sciences and forestry in the future. He is also an active member of LM’s FFA Club, which gives him more opportunities to learn and gain practical experience in agriculture and conservation.
“I want to keep building my knowledge and finding ways to help care for our environment,” Liam shared. “This program gave me the confidence to know I’m on the right path.”
