Colfax graduate Ziegler earns national Girl Scouts scholarship for project

Girl Scouts Heart of Central California chose Mari Ziegler, a member of the 2023 Girl Scout Gold Award class, to receive a $10,000 scholarship from Girl Scouts of the United States for her project: Healing burn scars through native plants. Ziegler, of Applegate and a 2023 graduate of Colfax High School, watched as wildfires ravaged the Sierra foothills, including the River Fire in August 2021, which evacuated Colfax and destroyed several structures. These fires leave thick burn scars, and Ziegler became concerned as the first plants to re-grow in the decimated areas have been harmful invasive species, which are likely to out-compete the native plants in the area. This was an important issue in her community, and she made a plan to combat the problem through education and hands-on activities aimed to create a generation of environmental stewards who are knowledgeable and passionate about native and invasive plant species. "The most effective way to combat lack of understanding is through education," Ziegler said. "My project educated the youth of the Sierra foothills through a variety of different avenues. I hosted an event to give local kids hands-on experience in harvesting seeds in the wild, cultivating native plants and removing invasive ones." Ziegler's Gold Award project educated youth and engaged local homeowners by sharing effective ways to clear invasive species from their properties. She also led a team armed with rakes, shovels and pickaxes and cleared more than 90 acres of trails at the Traylor Ranch Nature Preserve and on multiple private properties. Close to 3,200 Girl Scouts in the 2023 Gold Award Class found meaningful ways to address some of the most pressing issues facing their communities nationwide, acted on issues they are passionate about, and discovered they have the power to create the future they want. Ziegler was one of 110 Gold Award Girl Scouts from across the movement selected to receive a $10,000 scholarship, made possible in part by the Kappa Delta Foundation in addition to funds from GSUSA and its national board. The Girl Scout Gold Award class of 2023 contributed more than 250,000 hours and invested more than $2.5 million toward creating long-term solutions to community issues they're passionate about.