Is It The End Already!?

Can any of you believe that it has been 10 months since I started this journey here in California and at Shasta Land Trust? I sure can’t! My time with SLT has gone way too fast, but has been filled with new and great experiences, exhilarating adventures, and amazing people and memories. Here’s a little perspective and review on my time here.

After college, I was looking for new adventures and experiences away from what I was used to in Wisconsin, and the SNAP program fit that bill. I was excited to spend my year of AmeriCorps service living in a new area and learning a lot about the land trust world, especially the new and exciting happing’s at SLT. Within that first few months, I knew that this was going to be a great learning and professional experience and a fun and enjoyable time with the staff and all of SLT’s volunteers and supporters. They are truly great people!

One great experience was the enjoyable time I had working with all the volunteers at the Wildways Kickoff and seeing many of our incredible supporters in one place, enjoying themselves and having a great time. While a lot of time and preparation went into that event, it was great getting to know so many of those dedicating their time to making it a successful evening. I also had a huge blast coordinating the 2nd annual Whole Earth Hustle as well as spending the day with the Environmental Education committee at the Whole Earth and Watershed Festival, shooting the breeze and meeting some neat people!

One of my favorite tasks as the Conservation Associate was conservation easement monitoring. We have some amazing photos of the properties we’ve protected, but one almost has to see them first hand to really appreciate their beauty and importance. It was a lot of fun taking our volunteer monitors out to these properties, most of which were seeing them for the first time as well. Do be warned though, wasps do make nests in old gates. Nests you can’t even see until you’re already stung. I will never look at a gate the same way again.

Is it the end already?

I have had countless memorable adventures here in northern California with both family and friends. From hiking around the snows of Mount Shasta and Mount Lassen, kayaking the beautiful Butte Lake, exploring the Redwoods, hiking some great Whiskeytown trials at the recommendation of some long-time SLT supporters, to swimming the frigid waters of numerous waterfalls, it was all mind-blowingly awesome! There are so many opportunities to experience the outdoors here that one can’t even begin to scratch the surface in only a year. I will definitely be back in the future to explore some more!

“What’s next?” some of you may say. Well, I don’t know! I will be going back home to Wisco with a primary focus on spending time with my family’s two dogs and getting my fill of home cooked food. Also, I will be eating copious amounts of cheese curds. There’s just something about eating a squeaky, warm chunk of cheese that you can’t get anywhere else…

While I don’t know what’s in store for me next, I do know that I will miss working with the staff and supporters of the Shasta Land Trust as well as being in the company of some great friends I have made.

Thank you to everyone that has made my time at SLT an unforgettable experience filled with great memories!