The Energy and Natural Resources club (ENR) plans to continue working in the Pilot Hill Recreational Area next semester despite COVID-19 related setbacks.
Since the university purchased Pilot Hill, ENR has been working with Pilot Hill executives to prepare the recreational area for the public. The club was given a wide array of potential projects in the area and chose to pursue fence removal.
In preparation for the Pilot Hill project next semester, the club hosted a group hike in the recreational area to see the layout of the land.
Christopher Bury, member of ENR, said the club hasn’t been able to do as many projects as usual due to the pandemic and being online. They were able to take a hike around the entrance to Pilot HIll though. Bury said he hopes it will be more available to students this semester.
“That was nice to see what it looked like and envision what it could be,” Bury said.
“Our main goal with the Pilot Hill project is to raise awareness about it because it’s something that is readily available to students. We want to aid in the preparation of the area for the public and get that land ready to be the best it can be for its future patrons,” Bury said.
The club also participated in a highway cleanup, partnered with the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
Beau Brown, President of ENR, said, “We mainly focused on highway cleanups. Due to COVID-19, we couldn’t really do anything else. We normally do a highway clean up twice each semester but we are glad we got to do it at least once this year.”
In a regular year, the club participates in more activities.
“We weren’t able to help with the mountain film fest and we couldn’t do regular day to day stuff. We couldn’t table in the Union, sell shirts or pins, or do our regular club hikes,” Brown said.
The goal of the club is to get involved in environmental issues and outdoor activities to help the Laramie community and provide opportunities for students at the university.
Bury said, “I like the atmosphere. I like being around people with the same interests as me.
“I like meeting with them and doing things that are fun and meaningful at the same time. I hope we can have a few more safe in person meetings and activities we can involve students in, rather than just as a club.”
Sheila Walsh, the Social Media officer, said, “A lot of people would have a good time hanging out with us, doing the things that we do, learning as well as make new friends.”
The club is also selling t-shirts next semester to raise money for the Pilot Hill project, and possibly planning a project or event for Earth Day.
“We are going into next semester with more confidence and we are hoping to get more projects done next semester,” Bury said.
