Date Joined Genesee Land Trust: Joined the board in 2014
Education: BSEE Purdue University, MSEE National Technological University
Hometown: Roanoke, Virginia
Favorite preserve or nature spot in the region, and why: I really like Cornwall Preserve because it gives a taste of everything nature: wetland, woods, meadow, coastline. And it reminds me of the importance of preserving land along the lake so that we have bird resting zones before crossing the lake during seasonal migration.
Describe what you do: I retired in 2021 and am enjoying traveling to visit our new granddaughter (our oldest son’s first child) in Brooklyn along with our other two son’s homes in Los Angeles and Boston. I keep happily busy volunteering with Genesee Land Trust. I also like to swim, hike, golf and do just about anything outside.
What is a typical day in your life like? I am embarrassed to say that I like to start my day with coffee and the series of “word” games: Wordle, Quordle, and Octordle. We have bird feeders near a window with a chair so I love to watch the morning bird activity. After I wake up, I tackle my list of “to do’s” for home, volunteer, and paid work. I try to fit in a workout of some sort each day. I’m an avid reader so I finish my day with a book.
Why did you join Genesee Land Trust? Around 2010 Margaret Potter and Gay Mills asked if I’d help with some strategic planning thinking. I knew Margaret so I was happy to sit and think together on that effort. Once I learned what Genesee Land Trust does, I immediately was drawn to the Urban work with development of urban trails. Having always been a nature lover I fell in love with the mission.
What do you love about the work you do? I love being part of the Board of Directors. It gives me the opportunity to be a volunteer while intimately being connected to the organization’s fiscal responsibilities and strategy. Since joining the board in 2014 it’s been a true joy to grow with the organization – both in my knowledge and skills and the organization’s size and breadth of work.
What are you most proud of in your career so far? As a board member I think I’m most proud of the overall journey I’ve been on since joining the board. I was so intimidated in that first year but through the amazing board strength and wonderful staff support, I learned more about the organization each year and ultimately raised my hand to do more volunteer work.
What goals do you have for the future of the land trust? I love this community and want to ensure Genesee Land Trust is positioned to be a leader in preserving and protecting its natural lands and waters. My hopes and dreams for the organization are that it continues to have the incredibly talented staff that we have today, the financial means, strength of board diversity, and respect and support of the community to do that work.
Please tell us about your home: I live in Greece and while you wouldn’t think of this suburb offering any nature jollies, we have an incredible breadth of birds (including having had a Painted Bunting visit us for about 5 days creating a storm of birders camping out in our backyard), fox that nest and raise kits in our backyard every year, and deer.
Please share a magical moment you’ve had in nature: We love our National Parks and I always have a sense of “smallness” when we’re hiking in these great places. Last year we crossed the country in a camper van. At Capital Reefs National Park we climbed up on top of the van and watched the most beautiful night sky I’ve ever seen including a few shooting stars.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Relax with a book by our bird feeders.
What is your favorite animal, and why? Fox are so cute. We’ve had the fun of watching litters of kits grow up in our backyard and it’s simply adorable to watch them play.
What kind of hiking boots/shoes do you wear? Keens
What kind of music do you like? 70’s and 80’s Rock
What’s your favorite flower? This is a tough question! I love hydrangeas and roses.
What’s your favorite season? Also a tough question! The fact that we live in an area that has ALL seasons is what I love most. Each season brings unique and beautiful experiences to enjoy in nature.
Tell us about your family/pets: We are pet-less at this point. We’d love to have a dog but we travel too much to be good pet parents.
What is something you’re reading or listening to right now? I’m working my way through a book called “The Persuaders: At the Front Lines of the Fight for Hearts, Minds, and Democracy” by Anand Giridharadas.
How did your childhood connect you to nature/put you on the path to Genesee Land Trust? Growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains meant that we hiked a lot. My dad would get us out on the trail and point out trees and animals… even a copperhead that was close enough to my youngest brother that my dad had to grab him away from the ledge he was sitting on but not without screaming to us all to look at the beautiful snake.
What do you always take on a hike/walk? I really rely on my hiking poles.
What’s one thing (about nature/land conservation/the environment) you wish more folks knew? We live in an area that has so many places for people to get out and enjoy nature. Genesee Land Trust can help anyone find a place to enjoy and get the benefits of being in nature.
Photos courtesy of Mary. Banner image is at Lower Falls in Rochester,