Life for me is very different since I arrived here in the lakes region for my AmeriCorps term, and not necessarily in the ways that I expected. I mean, I knew there would be bugs, I just thought they would be smaller, and less aggressive. I knew that I’d be driving boats, I just didn't think that they would go as fast (or sometimes as slow) as they do. And I knew that I’d be doing important and meaningful work, but I didn't realize I would enjoy it this much. It’s a weird feeling having your responsibilities transform from something you wake up almost dreading to the thing you’re looking forward to above everything else.
Although I look forward to all of my tasks, diving to remove variable milfoil is by far the most exciting and unique experience I’ve ever had. The combination of what I would call the coolest thing you can do in the water and the positive impact that our management program has for the lake combine to create an incredibly fulfilling and engaging task. Although, even though this work is rewarding, by no means does that make it simpler to get over your fear of whatever aquatic creatures lurk within the tangled mess of puffy tendrils that can seem to tower over you as you approach them. Grabbing what you think is a branch, only to have it be a catfish that violently thrashes in your hand is not something that you or your body forget quickly. Realizing that snapping turtles are in no way frightened of you and are much bigger than you remember is another thought that seems to be the only topic on your mind as you stare into the water before you tumble in with all of your gear.
But once you’re in, all of the secondary anxious thoughts seem to get drowned out by a reminder of why you're here in the first place. Thoughts shift from anxious questions like “ How bulbous do I look in this wetsuit? Did I remember to turn my air on all the way?” Get replaced with what we’ve been trained to do. “Breathe in and out, Aim for the root ball”. Realizing that you’re no longer a spectator and now a part of something larger gives you the motivation you need to face your anxieties and do what you need to do, which has benefits for not just the lake, but also yourself.
Despite the diving aspect of my service being an altogether mostly isolated experience, I’ve also gotten a lot of inspiration from my interactions with the public while I’m serving. Whether that's a curious Boater asking what our little red flag means (it means stay 150 feet away because we have a diver in the water), or seeing volunteers from our community come out on a Saturday and help us dig water bars for hours, the passion and attention that these people have for their local environment is beyond inspiring. It gives me hope for the future of conservation, and for the future of us as a species. I’m beyond excited to see what the rest of my term has in store for me, unless those things are more large snapping turtles and milfoil fragments.
Henry is a half-term member serving at the Squam Lakes Association. His favorite sweet treat is Haribo Starmix! You can learn more about Henry here.