Hunter Probert and Cameron Probert are learning about environmental stewardship at a young age.

Expect the lessons they learn to stay with them their entire lives.

The Proberts, a sister-brother team (Hunter’s the sister), were part of a group of about 10 people who cleaned up the manmade wetlands immediately east of the N.C. Estuarium. That effort was the second-annual wetlands cleanup sponsored by the City of Washington and involving city employees, including Sharon Probert, mother of the sister-brother team.

It speaks well for the local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts organizations that Hunter is a member of Girl Scout Troop 3556 and Cameron is a member of Boy Scout Troop 258. The Proberts, to some degree, likely learned about environmental stewardship through the Scout groups.

The cleanup, held Dec. 10, resulted in up to 75 pounds of trash being removed from the wetlands, according to Adam Waters, the city’s water-resources supervisor. Waters said the cleanup program is important not only because it removes trash from the wetlands but also because it helps teach children civic duties.

The Proberts were recognized for their efforts at the City Council’s meeting Monday.

Their efforts and the annual wetlands cleanup program deserve to be recognized because they make Washington a better place live.