SLIPPERY ROCK — Alex Petridis is not only keeping a promise to a dying friend by keeping an environmental group active, but he also plans to expand the organization.

Petridis and his friend, Joe McChesney, founded TASOW, The Awesome Spirit of Wildlife, at Slippery Rock High School in 2003, hoping to make others aware of wildlife conservation. The duo soon joined forces with five or six other students and produced conservation films and presentations for elementary schools.

On Sept. 10, McChesney died of a cardiopulmonary aneurism, a health problem he was unaware he had.

The 18-year-old Mercer Township native was the cameraman and presenter for the environmental group. While the interest in reptiles came more from Petridis, McChesney had "an enthusiasm about it that really struck people," said Petridis.

The members of TASOW volunteered to serve as pallbearers at McChesney's funeral. As Petridis watched his fellow members help with that task, he realized their dedication was immense. Since then, Petridis has been determined to keep TASOW as active as ever.

"I was worried about seeing his dream die. It's been the exact opposite. We've turned negative energy into positive," said Petridis, who is majoring in environmental geoscience at Slippery Rock University.

While attending McChesney's funeral, Petridis met a teacher from Georgia who wants to start a TASOW program at his high school. In addition, Petridis has plans to advise a chapter at Moniteau High School and to continue to advise the Slippery Rock High School chapter.

While none of the schools have plans for activities for the school year, they are starting to gather members and meet about what to do next, he said.

"I think it (TASOW) will progress," he said. "I don't know what its limits are."

Petridis also plans to host activities and enroll new members in the group at SRU.

TASOW has 23 active members, mostly at the high school level. Some members have graduated and are attending universities.

Members are working to finish the first feature film produced by TASOW called "In Search of the Hellbender," which Petridis hopes to release in June 2008. The film deals with a giant salamander native to the Northeastern United States.

"This is an indicator species and very sensitive to the environment," he said.

When environmental conditions are ruined by pollutants or construction, the hellbender will be one of the first species to show the effects. When they leave an environment, other species do too, Petridis said.

Petridis plans to send a copy to television stations and hold a film festival so that the public can view the film. Someday, he hopes to get the attention of Animal Planet, the cable television channel devoted to animals, he said.

TASOW also has completed a short film about Wolf Creek Narrows, a section of the creek that is near Slippery Rock.

Petridis is excited about finishing the feature-length film, since his dream after college is to become the next Steve Irwin, his longtime idol. Theconservationist and television personality known as the Crocodile Hunter, Irwin died just over a year ago after being stung by a stingray.

With the help of members of TASOW, Petridis thinks the group can make several more films.

"We all do different things but all the individuals have strengths," he said. "Together we're this impenetrable force."

Kate Jeffers, a senior at Slippery Rock High School, said the films that TASOW members are producing inspired her to become a member. "It's amazing work," she said.

"It's incredible how much he's done," she said of Petridis.

She said the high school group will work on two goals this school year: reaching out to elementary schools and the community.

"We want the community to be involved," whether it's volunteering to take care of animals or helping with the high school recycling program.

For more information, visit the Web site, www.tasowfilms.com.