Kendra Bloom was among 78 young women from the Central Maryland Girl Scouts who received her Gold Award on April 19. A 2014 graduate of Severna Park High School and member of Troop 1039, she addressed the issue of the non-native, invasive plant species, Japanese stiltgrass, harming the ecosystem at the Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary in Anne Arundel County. Kendra designed and conducted experiments to test different methods of native plant reintegration and invasive plant reduction in the area. She then presented the research from her project to environmental organizations, volunteers and the public in order to spread awareness about invasive plants and offered suggestions on how to fight the issue on a larger scale. Kendra was a member of the Girl Scouts for 12 years and is currently a student at Pennsylvania State University. The Gold Award is equivalent to the Boy Scout Eagle award, and only 5 percent of Girl Scouts earn the award.

Story via Severna Park Voice