Skylar Schmit, Deedy Intern
The Thousand Islands region is filled with diverse ecosystems, communities and organizations. I was unaware of this until coming here this summer as the Kenneth Deedy Environmental Steward.
My journey started at the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center when the Director stated that we need to be “all in”. Those two words really stuck with me. While at the Nature Center, I enjoyed engaging with the public through exciting environmental education programs. My favorite part at TILT was the amount of people I was able to meet. Whether it was at the front desk, a TILTrek, or an outreach event, I learned that at the Land Trust, you need to be “all in” in order to stay organized and active in the community. And being at Save The River made me realize you have to be ready for anything. From getting your hands dirty with invasive species management to water quality testing in a kayak, this work keeps the community engaged.
One main commonality these three organizations share is that they are “all in” for everything that they do. From educating people about the region’s environmental treasures, working to keep the water healthy to making sure the land is accessible for everyone to enjoy; they do it all. The goal of this internship was to learn about environmental advocacy, education and conservation, but also to form relationships with people whether that be coworkers, volunteers, or community members. Being the Deedy Steward showed me that conservation is about collaboration, knowing those who came before you, and working to be better for those who will come after. I am extremely grateful for my experiences this summer and for the opportunity to continue the legacy of Ken Deedy.
