The NALZS Bio-Exploration Science Teams (BEST) stand as a leading youth organization dedicated to preparing its students for leadership and careers in biological science, conservation, and wildlife ecology.
By taking advantage of their BEST chapter membership, students can become:
ACADEMICALLY PREPARED
COMMUNITY ORIENTED
ENVIORMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE
EXPERIENCED LEADERS
BEST gives them opportunities to be academically prepared for college and careers in biology, environmental science, zoology, and wildlife ecology.
Recognizing the benefit of volunteer service and responsibility to our community, BEST members continually impact and improve their local and regional communities and have access to local conservation leadership
BEST members can become poised professionals with determination, integrity and ethical environmental standards.
BEST members are empowered through experience to provide effective leadership through goal setting, consensus building and project implementation.
HOW IT WORKS:
BEST chapters create, explore, and learn through multiple conservation projects, nature-based experiments, community outreach, volunteer service and team leadership. Each chapter works together to complete a set goal of projects for the year. At the end of the school year each chapter is recognized for its successes and the steps that contributed to that success. For more detailed information, please email education@nalzs.org.
CHAPTER POTENTIAL:
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All BEST chapters must be part of a high school, middle school or home school co-op and must have a chapter sponsor.
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Chapter sponsor can be a teacher, coach, advisor, parent and must be recognized by the school administration or homeschool co-op.
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Must have a minimum chapter size of six (6) student members and one (1) sponsor and cannot exceed 24 student members.
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Chapters will elect officers:
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President
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Vice President
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Treasurer
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Secretary
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Each chapter must pay an Annual Chapter Subscription.
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Benefits to Annual Chapter Subscription:
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Opportunity to participate in community conservation, outreach, and in-depth biology experiments.
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Volunteer opportunities that build experience for both college and career resumes.
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Community forum and interchapter interaction.
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Support from NALZS staff, bi-annual visits, training, and coaching.
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EXAMPLES OF POTENTIAL BEST PROJECTS:
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Organize or participate in a community clean-up
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Raise Ocean Awareness
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Promote Natural Disaster Awareness
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Mini-pond experiment with local pond research
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Pollinator Garden Planning
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Alabama Biodiversity BioBlitz
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Take a Butterfly Census