Project: Baskets for Beaches

Uma Ludwig was inspired to make her Gold Award about pollution and its effects on waterways after seeing debris and litter on her favorite local beaches.

“Pollution is a transboundary issue,” she said. “With one body of water dumping into another, pollution can travel long distances and impact many different areas.”  

Waves of change

After contacting three local recreation areas and state parks with beaches, Uma proposed a multi-pronged approach to educating park goers about their responsibilities when it comes to picking up their trash.

Along with a website, printed materials and Earth Day classroom packets, Uma and her team installed bright blue poles with educational signage and blue baskets at local parks.

People are encouraged to take a basket with them and fill it up with garbage during their beach visit.

“The posts are right there when entering the beach and will draw your attention and remind you not to pollute,” she said.

Gold lessons

Uma graduated from Center Line High School and was a Juliette Girl Scout. She learned skills in communication, organization, and time management.

She plans on getting a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering but will have a hard time choosing between the 13 schools she was accepted to!

Uma’s Gold Award journey enriched her problem-solving, communication, time management skills while reinforcing the importance of collaboration and flexibility in achieving success.

Find out more

Check out Uma on the GSSEM YouTube channel talking about her Take Action project and being a 2025 Gold Awards Girl Scout.

Congratulations, Uma, on earning your Gold Award!

Go to www.gssem.org/highestawards for information on Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.