My summer as a Richard G. Rockefeller Conservation intern at Blue Hill Heritage Trust has absolutely set me on a path of a lifetime of stewardship. When I started, I didn’t even know how much I didn’t know. All I was hoping for was a summer of growth, and I got far more than I could’ve imagined. The community at Blue Hill is so dedicated to their land, and I am so privileged to have met such a fascinating and wonderful community. Learning the intricacies of Maine’s ecosystems, understanding what threatens it and how I can help, and banding together to restore and support the land has taught me so much about what it means to be a part of the outdoors, not merely a visitor.
Being surrounded by intelligent and hard working people has shown me the power of a couple sets of hands helping to take care of our land. I feel so grateful for everyone I’ve met through BHHT and all the wisdom they’ve shared. The staff here at the trust runs like a well oiled machine, each person giving what they can according to their strengths and coming together to make a huge impact. Working with my fellow interns, Lydia and Eleanor, has been so wildly fun. They each are so knowledgeable about their field of interest, and I feel so lucky to not only learn from them but laugh with them too. This summer has been filled with memories that I will keep with me for life. Getting to go outside and do the hard work with Ella, Emily and Andrew has taught me so much about what it means to be a steward. After spending hours maintaining a trail (or weeks building a bridge), it’s hard to describe the feeling of accomplishment and pride that comes from stepping back and seeing how our work has transformed the land. Talking with Megan, Brooke, Harlie, and George about the behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything afloat has been eye opening, and has sparked my interest in environmental law and land acquisition. We all know and love the wonderful trails, but there’s a quiet reverence for the land we leave untouched, conserved for the native plants and animals to thrive in. There’s so many facets of land trusts, yet each part contributes to our responsibility for the land we live on.
The opportunities to learn and use new tools have been invaluable, and the physical and mental strength I’ve gained will always stay with me. This internship inspired me to keep working in this field and do my part, and I’m so excited to see where this experience takes me. Thank you, Blue Hill!