Looking back on the first month here at the reserve I have learned so much. The staff and interns here are exceptional and I feel as though I am fitting in rather nicely. It is a very satisfying feeling when the work that you did in college and the material you learned is applied in the field that you are working in. Looking back at the interview I had here in March, I remember knowing exactly what Jeremy meant when he spoke about the importance of invasive species monitoring because of the ecology class I had taken at Plymouth. I believe that this was the exact position I needed to cultivate my interest in the conservation of marine ecosystems and the communities around them.

Jake, and the staff here have provided me with outstanding opportunities to gain skills and knowledge I would never have received elsewhere. Trainings such as rainwater harvesting, beach profiling, river monitoring, and road-stream crossing have allowed me to practice my love of conservation and demonstrate my commitment to the betterment of communities throughout the state of Maine. Furthermore I feel that over the past month I have been fulfilling my AmeriCorps pledge and getting things done for America. I am excited to see where the rest of my journey here at the reserve takes me.