A few weeks ago, we asked Shane Stedman to reflect on his first month as a stewardship intern with the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy. This is what he had to say:
Over my first month as a stewardship intern at the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy, I have had the opportunity to take part in a litany of tasks, projects, and responsibilities to help the conservation of the Chippewa watershed. In doing so, I have gained valuable experience and knowledge in fieldwork and Central Michigan’s environment, learned about the management of local natural resources, and gotten insight into my future career.
Holding a baby turtle found during vernal pool monitoring
The majority of the work I do for the CWC is done out in the field. The CWC states that its mission is to protect Central Michigan’s land, water, and wildlife resources. My role as a stewardship intern is to carry out tasks to ensure that this mission is executed to the best of my ability at properties preserved by the Conservancy. These tasks include trail cleanup and maintenance, preserve monitoring reports, invasive species removal, biological data collection, preserve upkeep, species identification, and more; a wide range of responsibilities, from local maintenance and restoration work to the contribution of wide-ranging environmental studies.
Repairing a footbridge at Hall’s Lake Natural Area
This time spent out at preserves has allowed me to gain familiarity and knowledge of our local environment and ecosystem that I otherwise never would have had, learning how various environmental and biological data is collected, how many invasive plants are removed then treated; and all about the invasive, endangered, threatened, threatening, and common species alike that surround us, and how to identify each. This experience working in the field at the CWC’s various preserves has provided me with the opportunity to simultaneously assist in the protection of our local natural ecosystems through hands on work and contribution to further studies, gain experience in environmental fieldwork, and learn about our local wildlife and ecology.
Using a polesaw to trim along the trail at Sylvan Solace Preserve
While not involved with the decision making process, I have learned much about the management of local conservancies and wildlife resources alike. I now know the role of concepts previously foreign to me such as conservation easements, land trusts, management of nonprofits, and role of local conservancies in wildlife management and conservation. Understanding how and why decisions are made for land, water, and wildlife resources are managed is vital for someone like me pursuing a career in environmental science.
Pulling garlic mustard at Mill Pond Natural Area
I thoroughly enjoyed my first month with the CWC and look forward for what is to come the rest of this summer. This time has given me the opportunity to learn not only about environmental fieldwork, conservation, and management; but about myself and future as well. I admire what is done at local conservancies such as the CWC, the permanent acquisition and protection of natural land is vital for these critical and uncertain following years to come, my time working this summer has made me realize I wish to pursue a career protecting our planets land, water, and wildlife resources just like the CWC, but in a different way. I wish to help prevent or ease the stress placed on local environments that has to then be managed by local organizations and governments such as the CWC. It is disheartening to spend a full day removing invasive bushes at one property, to then drive home and see the very same bush stretching for miles along the freeway, highlighting a need to tackle issues such as these at its root cause through prevention. I hope to pursue a career in which I am able to contribute to the improvement of land, water, and wildlife resource health and management in our future through environmental research or policy in order to protect our ecosystems and make conservancies such as the CWC have a bit easier of a job.
Weighing one of the many bags of garlic mustard pulled at Mill Pond Natural Area this summer – this bag weighed 35lbs!
As of the time of posting, Shane is now two months into his three month internship. At the end of his internship, we’ll ask him to reflect again and share his final thoughts and experiences of working with the CWC. – Mike
Posing with a windthrown tree at Marl lake Easement during an annual monitoring visit.
