Batavia teen wants to be the Steve Irwin of the U.S.

Katie Billing has a mission in life, and it all started with a TV show.

"When I was younger, I used to watch the 'Crocodile Hunter' on TV," said the dynamic teenager. "I loved seeing how he worked with the wild life and pushed the idea of conservation. I really thought that I'd like to do that someday."

Katie, a junior at Batavia High School, decided to get involved and learn more about wildlife conservation. To do that, she headed to Brookfield Zoo.

"I got involved at the zoo in a different sort of way," she said. "I went to the zoo with my family and didn't see any opportunities for teens to get involved at the zoo, so I wrote a letter of complaint and received a reply letting me know about the Youth Volunteer Corps."

She became a member and volunteers at the zoo on weekends and during the summer. She often works at an exhibit explaining about the animals and showing interesting things such as fur pelts or the animal's skull.

While Katie was teaching. she also was learning. She learned not only about the animals in the zoo but also about the plight of animals in their original habitat.

"The polar bears are so fun to watch at the zoo," said Katie. "When I learned about how climate change was affecting the polar bears' habitat, I wanted to do something about it."

She competed with other volunteers at the zoo for a chance to attend Leadership Camp sponsored by Polar Bears International in Manitoba, Canada. She won the opportunity and joined teens from across North America at the leadership camp.

Not only did she work with biologists and scientists to learn about the research and conservation efforts taking place on behalf of these animals, she also got to see them close up. A tundra buggy took members of the group to the polar bears where they could observe them and other wildlife.

The experience was so life changing that Katie decided to make saving the polar bears her priority. She chose to spread the news through an Internet blog that would tell the plight of these special bears.

"Global warming exists and Arctic wildlife is dying, starving, and drowning due to our choices," she wrote. "People are not bad, we just make bad decisions. "We can change our ways by purchasing recycled products or planting trees in our communities."

Katie is involved in the Eco Club at the high school and hopes to make a difference at an upcoming symposium for area high school students.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to draft a letter to send to President Obama explaing the importance of conservation," she added.

Meanwhile, Katie continues on her quest to produce documentaries or a television shows that showcase animals and conservation.

She plans to attend the University of Florida and major in wildlife ecology and communications.

"I want to be the Steve Irwin of the United States," she said. "I want to spread the message of conservation across America."

It's a big dream for a young girl, a dream that began at a young age and grew stronger with each year. It's within her reach, she has a plan and she's on her way.

• Contact Sammi King at king60510@aol.com