If you look at my Instagram profile, you would probably think that serving a summer as an AmeriCorps member at the Squam Lakes Conservation Society means living it up on the famous ‘Golden Pond’. It is full of pictures of lake sunsets, goslings, flowering trees, and breathtaking views. From my page, it certainly seems like mountain top views, boat rides, and admiring baby animals are all part of a typical day as an AmeriCorps member.
And yes, that is what it has been like.
In part.
As social-media-haters of all generations like to remind us - what you see online is only half the story. And boy, isn’t that true! Because what doesn’t make instagram - ‘the gram’ as they like to say - are the hours spent on the computer figuring out how to add make a map, the pain of hauling logs up a mountain trail, and, of course, the hundreds of ticks I have found on myself over the course of my stay here in Holderness.
Alas, while some of my summer has been spent living the high life on the lake, the reality is that much more of it has been somewhat less glamorous. Removing poison ivy-infested invasives, struggling with map making programming, and slogging through the legal jargon of conservation easements, for example, are not exactly the kinds of things I wake up excited to do. And they definitely do not compare to a day spent lounging on the lake.
However, these experiences have provided me with some useful skills- plant identification, using a map and compass, learning GIS software, and building a knowledge of conservation real estate law are just a few of the skills I have gleaned from the aforementioned endeavors. Not only are such proficiencies handy, but also act as tools which add to my ability to work in conservation in the future. The experiences I am gaining here are ones I can carry forward and build upon, adding to the value and effectiveness of conservation efforts in the future.
Furthermore, the position has connected me to a multitude of other conservation-minded individuals. Some are early in their careers, while others are more established. Such a combination means that a whole host of ideas, skills, and hobbies are swirling around; making it easy to gain new knowledge and pick up new interests. As someone still trying to learn about what I want to do, hearing the advice and experiences of others who are (or have been) in a similar place have been immensely helpful for me.
My position with LRCC is only six months, but I have already learned information and gotten advice that I can carry forward with me. We AmeriCorps members work hard - whether that be in the office or out in the field - to further the conservation efforts of our LRCC sites. In return, we get to live in an amazing place and gain knowledge, experience, and connections that will help me launch a successful career in environmental work. Plus, I get some killer content for my Instagram while I am at it!
Emily recently graduated from Bates College, where she majored in Anthropology and minored in History. Learn more about Emily here!