By Carl Sinderbrand, Chair of Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy Governance Committee
OK, I know this title is not very original, but it makes a point: the Friends need you now more than ever. I know you cherish the Conservancy, and that you’ve enjoyed this incredible resource. You’ve walked or run the trails, hiked up to the effigy mounds and down to the sacred springs, harvested and planted seeds, removed invasives, and enjoyed many of the organized activities. And you’ve been generous in your financial support.
Well, you have the opportunity to do, enjoy, and learn more! The Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy is the epitome of citizen science and participation. We are member-run, through our board of directors and several committees, and we are always looking for new members interested in a greater level of participation. If you love to organize, collaborate, share your skills and expertise, or just enjoy the company of other nature lovers, our committees offer extraordinary opportunities.
Our Restoration and Management Committee works with our part-time land manager to organize and run workdays in the Conservancy, including seed collection, invasive removals, butterfly tagging, maintaining the propagation garden (read more in this year’s edition of Reflections: Voices of the Conservancy), and many other programs. Our Education Committee works with our education coordinator to develop programs for learners of all ages, including programs for school-agers and Conservancy Days presentations. Or maybe you want to help the Accessibility and Use Committee continue its efforts to make the Conservancy more user-friendly to people of all abilities; or our Watershed Committee, which monitors and develops advocacy policies relating to the Pheasant Branch watershed.
And if you are interested in writing about nature and the work of Friends, the Board is in search of volunteer(s) willing to work 5-10 hours a month with our publisher on planning and coordinating content for our e-newsletters. It is an opportunity to meet leaders in the field of environmental protections as well as talented artisans passionate about the natural world. For more information, please email Janice Kehler at janicekehler@phesantbranch.org.
Whatever your interests, we welcome you.
So please check out the events calendar for information on all volunteer opportunities.
And, to offer yet another paraphrase, “May the force(s of nature) be with you!”