Time goes by so quickly, especially when you are surrounded by the greatest of companions. It feels as though it was just yesterday that we were a group of strangers all standing behind the SLA awkwardly introducing ourselves and getting to know one another. It is hard not to feel as though we haven’t taken full advantage of our time living in this beautiful state.There is so much to do, but how could we possibly do it all in 6 months? But as I truly reflect on my time here thus far, I am reminded of how much we have accomplished. The landscape of the SLA looks completely different than when we arrived; we created a rain garden, a pollinator garden, and relocated a path along the cove. We hauled compost, moved rocks and gravel, spread seed and hay and I can only imagine how different the area will look come next spring. We have removed SO much milfoil from the lake and surrounding rivers, and have had a blast doing it. We have moved, cut, and bundled tons of firewood for our campers. We have led several educational programs and interacted with hundreds of volunteers in the region. We have collected, processed, and analyzed hundreds of water quality samples with the help of many volunteers. We have removed lots and lots and lots of bittersweet and other invasive plants. It is so nice to be a part of an organization that has a visible impact on the community it serves.
And of course we have done so much more outside of service. We have sat around campfires singing, chatting about life, and making smores. We have swam in White Oak Pond many, many times. We’ve climbed mountains, traversed rivers and streams, and played pickup basketball. We’ve cooked ‘family’ dinners, hung out at the docks (our favorite local spot), and explored the cities surrounding us. And although we’ve done so much, I feel as though there will never be enough time to truly feel as though I made the most of my time here. There is always something more I feel I could have done. Maybe that’s just what makes us human.
April brings a lot of joy and enthusiasm to her service at the SLA, not to mention some top-notch photography skills. Learn more about April here!