It’s that bittersweet time of year when we say goodbye to our incredible TerraCorps service members. Our Land Stewardship Coordinator Mariel and our Community Engagement Coordinator Juliette are rounding out their year of service with HLT this July.
Mariel Hohmann and Juliette Gomes have given so much back to these hills, from monitoring over 5,000 acres of conserved land to engaging the community in learning about forest health and resiliency.
We asked them to share a highlight from their TerraCorps service terms.
A close encounter
“It’s hard to choose, but I can’t not go with the moment when I was out poking around the swamp at the southern end of Stevens with Jess Applin, our Land Stewardship and Conservation Manager, and Sally Naser, Conservation Restriction Stewardship Director for The Trustees,” said Mariel.
“All of a sudden, we heard some wild wailing noises coming up from across the swamp. We all ‘hit the deck’ and looked up to see a big black bear pacing back and forth, clearly very upset with our presence. She was trying to protect her newborn cubs (the source of the wailing) and I couldn’t blame her. After a few moments of awe, we retreated out of there pretty quickly!
Learning with forests
“In the past eight months, I have grown an affinity for the forests of the Hilltowns and the community in this area,” said Juliette.
“I am grateful for all of the opportunities to learn more about forest health and climate resiliency. I am excited by the direction that HLT is headed and am proud of all the people supporting the process along the way.”
Where to next?
Mariel and Juliette have exciting plans for the fall.
Juliette is headed to Montreal, Canada to start her PhD in the Earth and Planetary Science Department at McGill University.
Mariel isn’t traveling far at all – she plans to return in September for a second year of service with HLT.
Hilltown Land Trust has been so lucky to have Mariel and Juliette with us this past year. Please join us in sharing deep gratitude for their work!
