Simsbury Land Trust Youth Conservation Corps
Simsbury Land Trust is continually inspired by the dedication and efficiency of young volunteers. Together, we seek to answer an important question: What can I do locally to impact the environment in a positive way?
The Simsbury Land Trust Youth Conservation Corps (SLTYCC) is the answer. This dedicated group provides Simsbury youth with meaningful opportunities to engage in hands-on conservation efforts. Through activities such as hikes, educational programs, trail maintenance, invasive plant removal, and construction projects, participants actively contribute to Simsbury Land Trust’s conservation mission. This work is both physically and mentally rewarding, offering teenagers a chance to make a tangible difference in their local environment.
All SLTYCC activities are supervised by Simsbury Land Trust board members, who guide participants in learning about local trails, farms, conservation properties, invasive species management, trail work, and more. Through hands-on experience, youth gain valuable knowledge and skills while fostering a deeper connection to the natural world. Our goal is not only to make a lasting environmental impact but also to inspire a lifelong commitment to conservation and stewardship among the next generation.
If you are interested in the Youth Corp. Contact Mr. Faithfull, Jonah or Charlotte at the Earth Advocates Club at Simsbury High School or email Amanda Thompson at director@simsburylandtrust.org.
Ella Capozzi
Ella moved to West Simsbury in 2013, after living in Burlington, CT. She currently attends Simsbury High School, and will graduate in 2027. She is a part of the school’s Earth’s Advocates club, where she has participated in activities such as trash clean ups, green closet clothing drives, and educating students on the proper ways to recycle. Ella is also part of the Green Team, a small group of students and teachers aiming to make Simsbury High School a Green LEAF School. In her free time Ella practices karate, which she especially enjoys doing in the summer when she can practice outdoors. Ella has always been interested in nature, as she has wanted to be a veterinarian since the age of 4. Through the SLT, Ella hopes to share her love of nature with her fellow students, get them involved in conservation work, and provide a healthier Earth for her generation and the generations to come.
Addy Escamilla
Addy has lived in Simsbury her whole life. She is a part of Simsbury High School, and will graduate in 2027. She is a part of the Earth Advocate’s club where she and other students work to make the high school a greener place. Addy has gone on nature walks with her family ever since she was little. She has always enjoyed these walks because she can really appreciate Simsbury’s more natural beauty. Addy always tries to be eco conscious and friendly to preserve Simsbury’s beauty. She wants to help conserve her town’s stunning scenery.
Clare Lepak
Clare has lived in Simsbury her whole life and attends Simsbury High School and will be graduating in June 2025. She plans to study animal science and/or natural resource management at the University of Connecticut in the fall. In her free time you can find her with her dogs hiking and exploring all around Simsbury. She is involved in the Simsbury High School earth advocates club where she has worked to create an in-school thrift store and push for sustainability in her school and community. In addition, Clare has spent time in the summers of 2023 and 2024 as a member of Rocky Mountain Youth Corp where she camped and worked on meaningful conservation projects throughout Northwestern Colorado. She is very excited to be part of the Simsbury Land Trust Youth Corp and advisory.
Jonah Lipar
Jonah Lipar is a junior at Simsbury High School. He has been interested in science & conservation since he was in middle school when he started the environmental club there. He is now a part of our Earth Advocates environmental club as well as the high school’s Green Team. He has volunteered with the Simsbury Land Trust since the summer before his freshman year. He has wanted to get more teens involved with SLT for a while, and this spring founded the Simsbury Land Trust Youth Conservation Corps with the help of other students he recruited from the club. He has lived in Simsbury his whole life, and loves to hike, bike, and row. Jonah looks forward to studying biology and/or environmental science in college and pursuing a career where he can continue to learn about and protect the natural world.
Henry Pfeiffer
Henry Pfeiffer has lived in Simsbury his whole life and will graduate from Simsbury High School in 2028. He is part of the Earth’s Advocates club which focuses on making the school a more environmentally friendly place. Henry has been hiking in the woods with his dogs since as long as he can remember. Henry also rows crew for Simsbury on the Farmington river. As well as backpacking in the Colorado Rockies and learning about leave no trace principles, Henry's goal is to ensure that current as well as future generations can enjoy nature and wild animals as much as he does.
Charlotte Roberts
Charlotte Roberts is a senior at Simsbury High School and has recently been a part of creating the Simsbury Land Trust Youth Corps. She is planning on attending the University of Connecticut in the fall of 2025 and will be studying Environmental Science on the Pre-Law track. She is additionally a Co-President of the Simsbury High School Earth Advocates Club, where she has taken on projects to improve recycling at SHS, and has helped create a “Green Closet,” where students can shop for second hand clothes.
She has expanded her love for conservation out in northwestern Colorado the past two summers, where she has worked for Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, and has completed conservation projects while camping out in tents. Charlotte is also very passionate about soccer and was recently a Varsity Captain of the SHS Girls Soccer program. She is looking forward to future opportunities in conservation and hopes to make a lasting impact!
Kailen Thompson
Kailen is a junior at Simsbury High School will be graduating in 2027. She plans on studying marine biology and has always had a passion for the ocean after growing in Florida. She is a member of the school’s Earth Advocate’s Club and Senior Patrol Leader of Simsbury’s Scout Troop 1175. Through the SLT, Kailen hopes to help maintain Simsbury’s natural beauty by clearing invasive species, removing trash from the environment, and raising awareness about environmental concerns.