Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania has announced that Olivia Nilsen from Lancaster County earned the highest award in Girl Scouting, the Girl Scout Gold Award. Nilsen attends Elizabethtown Area High School.

Nilsen's project, "The Pollinator Garden Project," focused on providing support for birds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Nilsen recruited volunteers to help create and plant a pollinator garden at a local retirement community. Her project's mission will continue as residents and members of the public enjoy the garden and the pollinators it attracts for years to come.

Nilsen devoted a minimum of 80 hours to plan, solve problems, and implement her ideas. The Gold Award is available to girls in high school who address pressing issues in their communities and create sustainable change for a community or world issue. In addition to providing community service, earning the award can help girls to build professional skills, earn scholarships, and build their network. Award recipients who later enlist in the military may be able to start at a higher pay grade.