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Meet Lucy Crespo, the Northeast Urban Community Engagement Specialist on the National Wildlife Refuge Association. We had the pleasure of assembly Lucy when she was the Director of Youth Initiatives at Groundwork Elizabeth. At the time, she was internet hosting the primary Mother’s Day occasion at Phil Rizzuto’s Park in 2022, together with US Fish and Wildlife and our Bring it Outside Program. This celebration was targeted on making the day particular for mothers that obtain help from Josephine’s Place Women Empowerment Center. When we heard Lucy’s story that day, we knew we wished to share it with our neighborhood.
Growing Up Outside
Lucy’s household immigrated from Argentina to the United States when she was virtually three years outdated looking for “The American Dream.” They arrived to a brand new world stuffed with lights, automobiles and skyscrapers that appeared to cowl the land (New York) leaving their small city Rio Ceballos behind. It took a few years for this household to undertake America as their new residence, however finally, Elizabeth, New Jersey grew to become that place. Over time, they missed Argentina’s mountains, grass, rivers and creeks that crossed their city in order that they ventured for that place that reminded them of their residence.
Lucy’s household ventured outdoors of their neighborhood looking for a spot that would fill this void of their lives. They began visiting each park they might discover; Kellogg’s Park, Phil Rizzuto Park, and plenty of others. This younger lady grew up surrounded by nature as a result of her dad and mom wished her to have the identical alternatives that they had having fun with the great thing about this world. Lucy’s dad and mom organized tenting journeys for his or her daughters to proceed the custom of spending time with nature; by means of that, Lucy started to fall in love with nature because it related her to her Argentinian roots. In 2014, Lucy joined Groundwork Elizabeth and went on a visit to Yellowstone National Park, which proved to be life-changing for her. She grew her information in practice upkeep, habitat restoration, and management abilities. For years Lucy traveled to many National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges across the nation main teams of youth within the battle to protect our nation’s open areas. Lucy led efforts at Yellowstone National Park, Grand Tetons National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and the Lenape National Wildlife Refuge Complex simply to call a number of. Then utilizing years of data to protect public lands again in New Jersey and educate communities as talked about within the video.
Lucy and her companion Douglas, now have a two-year-old son named Enzo. They work collectively to offer Enzo with a greater life, surrounded by nature. Her final objective as a mother is to create a greater setting for her son which consists of retaining the air, soil, and water clear for him and the longer term generations.
Lucy shares, “I hope Enzo will carry out the culture of outdoorism. I have taught him since the moment he was born to love, appreciate, and respect nature.”
Lucy now works with the National Wildlife Refuge Association utilizing her experiences to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in NJ, NY, and PA with their Urban Partnerships inside surrounding communities.
Lucy & Maria’s Advice for Parents
Lucy says to “respect each second you’ve together with your kids. Bring them outside! Make these recollections – that’s what they may keep in mind probably the most.
Maria Lincuiz (Lucy’s mother), agrees, saying “take your kids out! Take your kids to the park. If you are worried about money, just go for a walk!” Lucy’s mother is so pleased with the best way Lucy is elevating her son, and the way a lot she exposes Enzo to nature.
We are so honored to work with Lucy, and her mother, and to witness the event of three generations of outside lovers!
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