Photo Scrapbook & Intern Essays Below
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Dear Folks at the Arc,
I have been extremely busy getting settled back into Athens and
starting school, but I have meant to write and and thank you again for this
summer. Reflecting upon it, I have really gained a sense of how much personal
growth took place for me. I've been baking bread, practicing tree
identification, listening for birds, and most of all attempting to take as much
initiative in my pursuits as possible. This is especially true when it comes to
talking to others about ecology and conservation. I feel like there is a lot of
confusion, sociologically at least, about these areas of natural science. This
is perhaps perpetuated by the "go green" and "save the polar bears" sort of
trends that seem to prevail in the minds of most people who are just beginning
to be exposed to environmentalism and ecological ideas. It isn't that these
trends and efforts aren't important or impressive in their ability to reach
people, but I don't think that the whole picture is understood by most.
Leading the hike on my last day at Highlands was really a pinnacle point
in my path to becoming an educator. It was quite empowering and I believe that
I was able to convey a few important concepts to a handful of people who might
start to understand, specifically, the importance of the ecological interactions
that take place right here in Southern Ohio. In the future, I would be more
than happy to volunteer time in order to continue doing this. Let me know
when Highlands might benefit from offering interpretive hikes such as the one I
conducted.
--Timothy Pritchard, Summer 2008
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