My summer at Blue Hill Heritage Trust was my very first experience with a community-based conservation organization. While I was apprehensive about living and working in an unfamiliar part of the country during a very unusual summer, it turned out to be a wholly positive and impactful experience.
During my summer at Blue Hill Heritage Trust, I was able to participate in work that benefited both the natural and human communities of the Blue Hill Peninsula. The day-to-day operations of the trust involved an ever-changing assortment of natural resource, development, and outreach projects. The natural resource projects took place on some of the many properties managed by the trust on the Blue Hill Peninsula, and included creating and maintaining trails, monitoring conservation easements, and conducting vegetation inventories in forests and wetlands. The development and outreach projects were based out of the trust’s cozy office in the town of Blue Hill, and included planning community events, writing educational materials, and creating outdoor exploration kits for families. Based on the variety of experiences that I had this summer, I am confident that I will be able to use my newly developed knowledge and skills to make a worthwhile contribution at conservation organizations in the future.
I was truly lucky to spend the summer working for such a special organization. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the people who together make up the trust, including the staff, board of directors, and involved members of the community. I was particularly impressed by their kindness, resilience, and commitment toward creating a better future. I also developed a deep appreciation for the landscapes of the Blue Hill Peninsula, from the rocky coastlines to the mossy forests. With all this being said, the people and places that I came to know this summer will always have a place in my heart.
Miranda was one of two James W. Dow Interns, along with Andrew, the summer of 2020. Originally from Colorado, Miranda is a graduate of Colorado State University and is currently working as a prescribed fire crew member for The Nature Conservancy. Miranda was funded through BHHT operations thanks to the generosity of our donors.