Fall is a season of transition, and the Audubon Vermont office is not exempt. At the end of summer, we say goodbye to so many members of our team: our Junior Conservation Techs and interns, seasonal educators and counselors-in-training at camp, and our AmeriCorps members. We are grateful to be a partner organization in Serve Learn Earn , providing so many young people and early career professionals with work experience in the conservation field. But saying goodbye is always bittersweet. Learn more about our Youth Conservation Leadership Program and see reflections from past participants here:  https://vt.audubon.org/conservation/YCLP.

This time of year, however, we get to start welcoming a new cohort to our team. It is an instant energizer. The first folks to join are our new AmeriCorps members. This year we have two educators helping us provide environmental education programming at the Green Mountain Audubon Center and at local schools, parks, and town forests near you. Audubon Vermont has had AmeriCorps members serving at our office through the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board since 2016, when Emily Kaplita was selected as our first member. AmeriCorps’ mission is to “improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.” Our education members are in the community, connecting with children and adults around our mission to protect birds and the places they need.

David Hewitt is returning for a second term and we are pleased to welcome Truman Lee-Solomon to the Audubon Vermont Team. We will also have a new member joining our conservation team later this winter. Please give them a warm welcome!

Learn more about David, Truman, and our Youth Conservation Leadership Program  here on our website.