As my term as an ECO AmeriCorps member comes to an end, I’ve begun to look back on all that I’ve experienced over the past year. My time with Friends of Northern Lake Champlain has been nothing short of unforgettable, and I feel as though I am coming away from this with valuable work and life experience. On a more personal note, this experience was incredibly fulfilling in that I was able to interact with and help give back to the community that I’ve lived most of my life in.
There were many highlights throughout my time with FNLC. One of the most valuable aspects of this position was the opportunity to build connections. Coworkers, other ECO AmeriCorps members, community members- all these relationships helped to shape my service into one that felt supported and fulfilling. Another invaluable experience was the opportunity to assist in planning and hosting events for a variety of audiences. Whether it was meetings with farmers, birding events, or workshops- it all helped to hone my skills and further strengthen the connections that I've made along the way. My time in the fields was especially memorable, and I greatly enjoyed my time spent monitoring the Rock River. There were countless encounters with wildlife and great conversations with those who live in the area.
Along with the highlights, there were also some challenges. The initial learning curve for many aspects of the position was the first significant challenge. As the ECO for FNLC, my duties involved tasks for many different projects. For some of the project types, I had little experience with the kind of work they required and had to learn on the fly. Luckily, I had a great support system to help me along the way. Another challenge faced was time management. This became especially apparent in the spring and summer, when a large number of our events and trainings were taking take place. Finding ways to balance the needs of all these commitments was an ongoing process that evolved significantly along the way.
In short, serving with FNLC has been an extremely important and formative experience. It has solidified my desire to continue pursuing a career in field work and community outreach. I truly cannot thank my fellow FNLC coworkers and ECO AmeriCorps members for making this past year so memorable. Though I am saddened to be leaving FNLC so soon, I look forward to seeing what FNLC will accomplish in the future.
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