PLANTATION, Fla. – Local 10′s quest to find this year’s Eco Hero continues this week, as we introduce you each day to one of our top five finalists.
One high school student with a passion for our planet will win a once in a lifetime adventure to Australia and will be the subject of a primetime special here on Local 10.
When South Plantation High School senior Charlotte Rowe graduates this spring, the Eco Hero finalist will leave behind a lasting legacy.
As the president of the school’s Everglades Restoration Club for two years, Rowe helped write grants to acquire and plant native trees all around the school’s campus, and to create a beautiful butterfly garden, which plays a crucial role in pollination and bio-diversity.
Rowe’s love of all things nature started early.
“Both my parents are elementary school teachers and my grandmother is a retired park ranger, so I’ve kind of had environmental messages instilled in me my whole life,” she said.
Since education runs in her blood, it’s no surprise Rowe is passing on those environmental messages, participating in community outreach programs and eco-friendly presentations at area schools.
Finding ways to protect the environment is the club’s mission.
“We work really hard to go and teach these people about just how important that is and why they should care about this beautiful natural world we have around us,” she said.
Rowe enjoys caring for her high school’s farm animals, but is even more at home on the water, tagging sharks and participating in marine research with the Junior Seakeepers program.
“The Junior Seakeepers is a program based in Miami and they work really hard to educate the community and advocate for environmental protection and laws to be instilled,” said Rowe.
If she is named Local 10′s 2025 Eco Hero, Rowe looks forward to seeing the Great Barrier Reef, as well as the many animals that are unique to Australia.
“I’m a Florida girl born and raised,” she said. “I’ve always experienced the nature around here, so it would be so cool to experience that somewhere on a completely different continent.”
Whatever happens, Rowe’s passion for our planet and desire to enlighten and inspire will continue.
“Everyone needs to do their part,” she said. “The main way that happens is with education. If people understand and know just little things they can do to help the environment, they can make a difference, and if we all joined together, we can make the planet a better place.”
Rowe is off to the University of Florida this fall to study wildlife, ecology and conservation. We wish her well!