Behind her shy smile and soft-spoken voice, 12-year-old Pittman resident Julia Totora carries a passion for environmental protection.
Most recently, Julia became the youngest recipient of New Jersey’s James J. Florio Emerging Environmental Leader Award.
The 24th Annual Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards gives the state’s young residents, like Julia, an opportunity to demonstrate their recognition.
“The accomplishments of this year’s honorees capture the essence of New Jersey environmentalism and set shining examples for all of us to emulate,” Commissioner Sean M. LaTourette said in a news release.
more:Why did South Jersey police intervene when a local 9-year-old boy was diagnosed with a rare brain disease?
work and evaluation
Julia’s consistent efforts in her school and community ultimately led to her being recognized as an emerging environmental leader.
Originally nominated for the K-12 environmental education award by her mother, Jen Totora, the family was pleasantly surprised when she ultimately won another award.
“I want to use this opportunity to show other children that they can do the same thing,” Julia said.
Despite her shy demeanor, this tween has proven her leadership abilities by speaking up when it comes to protecting the environment, especially explaining why others should do the same.
At just 12 years old, she has already launched a successful petition to replace plastic foam lunch trays at her school, helped make leaf packs for school groups to research macroinvertebrates, and celebrated Earth Day. He joined a Boy Scout troop and volunteered to educate his neighbors about water. Inspections and waterway health in Pittman, home to a notorious Superfund site.
“It’s not just the fact that she did water testing and things like that. It’s the fact that she was then able to teach it to other people. … That was really impressive,” Jen Totora explained.
This budding leader has always had a passion for exploring and improving the world around her, which led her to pursue Cub Scouts and eventually Boy Scouts over other options such as Girl Scouts. I chose to participate.
“I found myself being outdoors a lot more,” Julia explained, adding that she was also drawn to the variety of merit badges available to Boy Scouts.
She is one of three girls in the troop.
![Julia Totora's work educating the community about Pitman's waterways helped her earn recognition from the state.](https://www.courierpostonline.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/01/02/PCHH/72086281007-julia-work-1.jpg?width=660&height=487&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Youth and environmental education
“I think more children should at least be able to learn better about the environment,” Julia says.
At school, Julia uses her creativity to spread her love for science and planetary health. After having trouble finding a supervisor, she and The Lunch Table decide to start an “underground environmental club” to investigate how schools treat the environment.
Jen Totora described the moment as “bittersweet,” saying that while she was proud of Totora’s hard work and recognition, it was unfortunate that young children had to be so aware of their impact on the environment. He also pointed out that.
“There’s hope,” Totora said. “Among Julia and people like her.”
Caitlin McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, Daily Journal and Burlington County Times. If you have a story to tell her, email her at kmccormick@gannett.com. Subscribe to get the latest news you need.