NORTHFIELD — Pioneer Valley Regional School senior Cooper Bullock received the School Committee’s approval to start the Pioneer Land Stewardship Club, completing the first step in his service project to reinvigorate the school’s trail system.
Bullock took part in an educational trip to Costa Rica over the summer with the Center for Intercultural Education and Development through Georgetown University. At the end of the trip, he was tasked with coming up with a service project for his own community.
In his project proposal, Bullock wrote about how he was inspired by his experience at a rural public school and wanted to make Pioneer more attractive to prospective students and families. He noted that 64% of the eighth grade class opted to attend high school in another district through School Choice.
“This information concerns not only the local elected officials, superintendent of schools, School Committee, teacher and parents, but also me, as an involved student in my community,” Bullock wrote in his project proposal.
For Bullock’s project, he decided to spruce up the walking paths in the forest next to the school. Speaking to the School Committee last week, Bullock explained the school property includes more than 90 acres of land.
Years ago, the school built paths to be used by classes, clubs and the broader community. Since then they have fallen into disrepair, with roots sticking up throughout the trails, leading to danger of erosion and creating a hazard for walkers and runners.
For his proposal, he started a club called the Pioneer Land Stewardship Club, which will hold a community service day in October. He expects roughly 20 families of volunteers will help spread 700 cubic yards of mulch along the trail system. Bullock hopes the mulch will be donated by the Northfield Department of Public Works, and he is prepared to ask other organizations to donate mulch and equipment.
“Walking the path is sobering,” Pioneer Valley Regional School District Superintendent Patricia Kinsella said. “I am proud of Cooper for settling on something that is exciting and doable.”
There is also a collapsed foot bridge that Bullock pointed out to the School Committee. He hopes to repair the bridge following additional surveying work.
Bullock’s project was organized under the guidance of Bernardston resident and former science teacher John Lepore’s 132-page comprehensive plan, “Pioneering Stewardship: An Action Inspired Design.”
A trick-or-treat walk involving the district’s elementary school students will also be planned after the community service day is complete.
“He is a leader (who is) helping position his student colleagues for doing next steps to the land,” Kinsella said of Bullock.
Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.