Baylee Ritter Email & Phone Number

Pontiac, Illinois, United States

Everyone’s Collective is a 501(c)(3) environmental education space and zero waste shop in Pontiac, Illinois. ECo aims to close the environmental education and action gap in rural communities.

Using the conservation management and citizen science skills learned through the Master Naturalist Trainee program to complete 60 hours of restoration services in the field.

Pontiac, Illinois, United States

The Master Naturalist Trainee program educates and trains stewards so they are better equipped to share natural resource information with others in their communities and to assist with environmental conservation and restoration activities.

Received a grant/mentorship for a project to co-create two outdoor educational spaces on previously deforested land to help empower the next generation of planetary stewards to address climate change and food insecurity.

Providence, Rhode Island Area

Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Greater New York City Area

Expanded the reach and impact of World Oceans Day, on June 8th, and year round through social media engagement and event planning and successfully publishing a children's book that addressed ocean conservation issues in young children's lives. Created and launched the "Rafting Awareness Project" which raises awareness of the harm of single-use plastics in land locked communities through the creation of raft made of plastics that was sailed down a local river. Facilitated a workshop and spoke at the 2018 Sustainable Brands conference that featured 70+ global brands that see social and environmental challenges as an essential driver of brand innovation, value creation, and positive impact.Spoke on the Council's behalf on the harm of single-use plastics at a 2017 United Nations General Assembly special session on the ocean.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Greater Chicago Area

Advanced conservation efforts by writing executive policy briefs for Shedd Aquarium leadership that addressed current political trends concerning priority legislation and crafting letters of support to United States Representatives and Senators working on conservation based policy and legislation. Assisted staff by conducting legislative research, developing policy fact sheets, and hosting various community engagement events that educated the public on current legislation affecting the conservation of wildlife.

Greater Chicago Area

Assisted in the planning and execution of Shedd Aquariums Sheddvocate influencer event. Created Facebook Live policy guideline to be utilized by media visiting Shedd Aquarium. Drafted multiple news releases and calendar alerts on current news, events, and happenings at Shedd.Wrote pitches that were distributed to reporters and local media outlets. Crafted photo caption content for various releases. Prepared a social media content calendar for Shedd Aquarium's Great Lakes Twitter channel. Developed and monitored growing media lists for a variety of outreach topics. Expanded and managed additional and relevant search items for Shedd Aquariums media monitoring platforms

Orlando, Florida Area

Advised Senior Administrators on the direction youth of today are taking on conservation issues.Facilitated the Environmental Excellence Awards, which recognizes outstanding students making a positive impact on the planet by leading environmental education or conservation programs in their community.Coordinator, January 2016 - December 2016Social Media Committee for the “Save the Vaquita” Initiative, a project focused on bringing public awareness to the most endangered species of dolphin in the world.

Bloomington/Normal, Illinois Area

The State Farm Youth Advisory Board disperses $5 million in grants to service learning projects and neighborhood assistance programs around the United States for students grades K-12 every year. Youth Advisory Board Member, December 2014 - December 2016Served on a board to disperse $5 million in grants to provide service learning projects and neighborhood assistance programs around the United States for students grades K-12.Chairwoman, October 2015 - December 2016Environmental Responsibility Committee - Oversaw a committee of 6 to chose the top 500 environmental responsibility grants to be presented to the executive board. Communications Committee - Lead a team of 4 in dispersing up to date information about the grant cycle to executive and associate board members

Pontiac, Illinois

Operation Endangered Species is a collaborative effort between the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and 18 high schools across Illinois that focuses on saving endangered species from extinction. Since 2012, the program has helped raise and release over 500 alligator snapping turtles (critically endangered in the state of Illinois) back into the wild.

Pontiac, Illinois

The Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal Program is a collaborative effort between students, communities, local pharmacies, police departments, hospitals, city officials, and more who work together to educate the public about the misuse and abuse of pharmaceuticals and the harm they cause to the environment.Started in 2007, the program has won numerous awards and grown exponentially since its inception. The program is currently in 28 states and 6 countries and has disposed of over 4.5 million pounds of medication. In 2011, students in the program wrote a piece of legislation that has generated over $250,000 that will be used in the state of Illinois for pharmaceutical disposal in communities.