Courtesy of Monique Joseph
The 9-year-old Black girl whose New Jersey neighbor called the cops on her while she was out killing invasive lanternflies has managed to find a silver lining to the traumatic experience: being recognized by several groups for environmental efforts that have inspired others in science.
The Association of New Jersey’s Environmental Commission honored Bobbi Wilson during the city of Caldwell’s council meeting this week, giving her the Sustainability Award for her work to save trees and eradicate lanternflies.
“We were thrilled that she was doing that,” Ann Marchioni of the ANJEC told The Daily Beast, explaining that the organization commends volunteers for being “hands-on” in their community.