Emmalyn “Emma” Kinsey of New Market is passionate about the environment and was determined to address dangers posed by invasive species to the native ecosystem. Partnering with Seven Islands State Birding Park, Kinsey assembled and led a large volunteer team to help clear and treat a quarter-mile area of invasive species over several days, allowing the park to open a new section of Seven Islands Loop Trail. She earned a prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award in 2024 for her Nature Cleanup at Seven Islands State Birding Park project.

Gold Award Girl Scouts are rock stars, role models and real-life heroes who address issues they’re passionate about by using everything they’ve learned as a Girl Scout to solve an issue. They plan and implement projects that produce lasting change in the community and beyond. It is the Girl Scouts’ highest honor. Emma is also a recipient of the Joyce Maienschein Leadership Grant.

In addition to clearing invasive species, Emma and her team planted native species back into the trail area to aid in the recovery of the environment. She invited community members to walk the trail and gave a presentation on native and invasive species. A special marker now designates the new trail so all who visit can learn about her impact.

Emma logged 84 hours working on the project over two years, which gave her ample opportunity to hone skills in teamwork, time management, compassion, delegation, perseverance and problem solving. She shared, “The most difficult part of my project – creating the new trail – was also the most successful. Clearing the trail took the longest time, but the end result is amazing!”

Her interest in plants and invasive species led her to this project, and she credits park rangers with being especially helpful in project planning and educating her. Her project was not without setbacks, but Emma persevered through the limitations of working and planting with the changing seasons and an injury that required surgical repair.

Emma describes herself as outgoing, and she is quite an adventurer, enjoying kayaking, whitewater rafting, camping, tubing, knee boarding, surfing and riding dirt bikes. She enjoys time with her family and reading as well.

She is a senior at Jefferson County High School and attended Governor’s School for Agricultural Sciences at University of Tennessee Martin in the summer of 2024. She plans to attend the University of Tennessee to study agriculture.

Congratulations, Emma! Visit girlscoutcsa.org to learn more.