A rising Norwin High School sophomore with a passion for science and the environment was selected as one of 31 students in the nation for a program to protect and preserve local water resources through monitoring, restoration and educational outreach.

Abrielle Brown, 14, will participate in the EarthEcho Water Challenge Ambassador program founded by EarthEcho International, a nonprofit global environmental organization based in Washington, D.C.

“EarthEcho’s program enables me to directly monitor the health of our local waterways through testing, analysis and reporting. It has a really amazing message to act now,” Brown said.

EarthEcho International was founded by siblings Philippe and Alexandra Cousteau in honor of their father, Philippe Cousteau Sr., son of the legendary French explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau.

In her test of the waters at Indian Lake, a North Huntingdon Township park, and the lake at Mammoth Park in Mt. Pleasant Township, Brown said she found the lakes were supportive of aquatic life, although the water was somewhat murky. She also collected water samples at Linn Run State Park in Ligonier Township and St. Vincent Lake in Unity.

Brown said she will participate in a three-day virtual leadership summit, where she will connect with other young people who are interested in conservation and build an action plan for the year.

She said she will undergo training this month on how to work with youth to test local water sources, possibly Brush Creek, which runs through Penn Township, Irwin and North Huntingdon.

Citizen research by amateur scientists is important, Brown said, because “anyone can make a difference in scientific research.”

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