My name is Leo, and I am currently a graduate student in UMBC’s Geography & Environmental Systems Program, where I study the rivers of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This summer, I worked as a Fish Deputy for EJJI’s Reel Rewards Program. The experience was incredibly meaningful to me because I have been fishing the waters around Baltimore my entire life. Fishing is something I love because it creates a space where I can connect with the environment and with other people. To me, the Reel Rewards Program is so innovative because it uses that space to promote environmental justice in Baltimore, my home.
Being able to connect with other anglers, share information about environmental justice issues, and give back to the community—all through something I am passionate about—was an incredible experience. It was especially rewarding to see how something that began as a personal hobby could become a way to make a positive impact and build connections within my community.
The Reel Rewards Program does a fantastic job of building community and fostering conversations about environmental issues in and around the Patapsco River. The invasive fish bounty program does so much more than remove invasive species. It puts money into people’s pockets, raises awareness about environmental issues, and creates opportunities for people to connect with one another and their local environment. These outcomes (and all the new fishing spots I learned about) made handling fish heads and braving fickle weather worthwhile.
Being a Fish Deputy this summer was a great experience for many reasons, but connecting with so many people has been the best part. I am grateful to have been able to combine my passion for fishing with an opportunity to give back to the community and contribute to environmental justice in my hometown.
