It’s that time when we reflect on what this year has brought and what we are grateful for. For myself, that would have to be the unexpected career change that has led to me writing this blog post. Stepping into my role at CWC has enabled me to fully commit my time to conserving the natural world. I am honored to be a voice telling CWC’s story in the community— whether that is designing a newsletter, posting on our social media platforms, planning a fundraising event, chatting with folks at the farmers’ market, or leading a hike on a preserve. While much of my responsibilities lie in the day-to-day administrative tasks, these essential functions must be done to continue the important work we do. When I do get out of the office you can usually find me exploring a vernal pool or surveying our preserves for herpetofauna (which is just a one-word term for amphibians and reptiles).
One of my favorite preserves is Hall’s Lake Natural Area. This is probably where I’ve dedicated most of my time outdoors in the past year. It offers multiple wetland habitats and hosts a great abundance of herp diversity. The various wetlands in combination with the upland forest are the perfect environment for amphibian and reptile species that often utilize multiple habitat types. To date, I’ve observed the following species at Hall’s Lake: Green Frog, Northern Leopard Frog, Eastern American Toad, Northern Spring Peeper, Wood Frog, Spotted Salamander, Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Northern Water Snake, Eastern Garter Snake, Northern Brown Snake, and Northern Ribbon Snake.
I am so excited for what 2024 will bring. We have several exciting projects in the works that I can’t wait to share!
