This week, we’re shining the spotlight on Riley, a Bucktails alum whose outreach has been as diverse as it is inspiring. From hands-on service projects to creative ways of engaging kids, Riley has embraced every opportunity to share his love of the outdoors as a Conservation Ambassador.
Education has been at the heart of Riley’s outreach journey. He set up trifold displays at both the Pike County Library and the 4-H office, where he not only shared information but also stayed to answer questions from community members. He designed a flyer about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) to accompany his displays, and later expanded his efforts by giving presentations to Citizen Science classes at his high school, Silver Birch Archery, and the Pike County Conservation District office. Riley even brought conservation to the youngest learners by reading conservation-themed children’s books to a daycare class. Along the way, he made sure to continue his own growth by attending presentations at Claws and Paws Zoo and tuning into Penn State webinars on amphibians, reptiles, and invasive species.
Riley’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. After being recognized with the Pike County Conservation District Youth Excellence Award, he was interviewed by his school’s news team. His story aired on the local radio during a football halftime show, bringing his message of conservation to a new audience.
But Riley’s impact goes beyond classrooms and media. He’s taken the role of mentor at home, teaching his mom and brother how to fish and his father how to shoot a compound bow. He has organized a service project that will have a lasting legacy in his community: creating a pollinator garden at the local library. By getting others to get involved, he not only improved the library grounds but also built vital habitat for pollinators that benefit the whole community.
To top it off, Riley gave back to the Academy by participating in our Pay It Forward campaign, helping future students experience the same opportunities that have shaped his journey. He also returned to field school this past summer as a Youth Mentor at Bucktails.
Riley’s outreach shows us what it looks like when creativity, education, and service come together. Whether he’s presenting to a group of peers, mentoring family members, or planting a garden for pollinators, his work is making a real difference while inspiring others to do the same. The Class of 2025 Conservation Ambassadors are just getting started with their outreach projects, but we can’t wait to share more of their stories soon.
Outreach Highlight – Riley Brings Conservation to His Community
Posted: September 13, 2025 by Katie Mace
This week, we’re shining the spotlight on Riley, a Bucktails alum whose outreach has been as diverse as it is inspiring. From hands-on service projects to creative ways of engaging kids, Riley has embraced every opportunity to share his love of the outdoors as a Conservation Ambassador.
Education has been at the heart of Riley’s outreach journey. He set up trifold displays at both the Pike County Library and the 4-H office, where he not only shared information but also stayed to answer questions from community members. He designed a flyer about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) to accompany his displays, and later expanded his efforts by giving presentations to Citizen Science classes at his high school, Silver Birch Archery, and the Pike County Conservation District office. Riley even brought conservation to the youngest learners by reading conservation-themed children’s books to a daycare class. Along the way, he made sure to continue his own growth by attending presentations at Claws and Paws Zoo and tuning into Penn State webinars on amphibians, reptiles, and invasive species.
Riley’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. After being recognized with the Pike County Conservation District Youth Excellence Award, he was interviewed by his school’s news team. His story aired on the local radio during a football halftime show, bringing his message of conservation to a new audience.
But Riley’s impact goes beyond classrooms and media. He’s taken the role of mentor at home, teaching his mom and brother how to fish and his father how to shoot a compound bow. He has organized a service project that will have a lasting legacy in his community: creating a pollinator garden at the local library. By getting others to get involved, he not only improved the library grounds but also built vital habitat for pollinators that benefit the whole community.
To top it off, Riley gave back to the Academy by participating in our Pay It Forward campaign, helping future students experience the same opportunities that have shaped his journey. He also returned to field school this past summer as a Youth Mentor at Bucktails.
Riley’s outreach shows us what it looks like when creativity, education, and service come together. Whether he’s presenting to a group of peers, mentoring family members, or planting a garden for pollinators, his work is making a real difference while inspiring others to do the same. The Class of 2025 Conservation Ambassadors are just getting started with their outreach projects, but we can’t wait to share more of their stories soon.
Category: Youth Blog Tags: education, featured, outreach highlight, service