Reflection

Reflection

Inspiration for this resilience-themed piece came from my local community's efforts to fight the effects of climate change. In 2024, I joined my local conservation group, the Westford Conservation Trust (WCT), to control some invasive species. I made "One Step to Rewild" to reflect what I’ve learned through volunteering at the WCT: The power of community and the ways resilient actions can heal the damage we've caused. To create this, I chose oil paint—a medium I’m less familiar with—to challenge myself and highlight the imperfect, messy state of our planet. Through this year’s theme, I’ve learned to connect my personal experiences with broader issues. Art has the power to evoke emotion, making it a powerful tool for spreading awareness. In my artwork, I highlighted the various invasives I’ve studied such as Japanese Knotweed (bottom left corner), Oriental Bittersweet (tangled around the trees), and Mile-a-minute (top). These invasives hide in plain sight, viciously outcompeting native species for vital resources and destabilizing delicate ecosystems. However, invasives aren’t the main focus. This piece was created to spark hope in others. At its center is the native milkweed plant, vital to many species, including the endangered monarch butterfly. I wanted to emphasize that every action toward protecting the environment can make a meaningful difference, even if you can’t see it immediately. The WCT’s efforts in removing invasive plants in the community has promoted the growth of more native plants such as milkweeds, improving the surrounding ecosystems.