At Audubon, conservation is greater than defending birds and habitats. It is also about inspiring and empowering the following era of conservationists who will look after our communities, lead environmental efforts, and join folks with the pure world.
The Grange Insurance coverage Audubon Middle has a wealthy historical past partnering with AmeriCorps members to supply significant, hands-on experiences for rising conservation leaders.
Via environmental training, habitat restoration, neighborhood engagement, and chook conservation initiatives, AmeriCorps members achieve beneficial expertise whereas serving to Audubon fulfill its mission to guard birds and the locations they want.
This 12 months, we’re celebrating the contributions of outgoing member, Cierra Clark, and welcome our incoming member Hattie Benedetti, who will likely be becoming a member of our crew in September.
As Cierra wraps up her service time period on the Grange Insurance coverage Audubon Middle, she needed to replicate on how a lot she has grown in a single 12 months – not solely in data, but additionally in her confidence and interpersonal expertise.
Via the Grange’s partnership with AmeriCorps, Cierra had the chance to assist educate greater than 500 college students, made connections with vital environmental organizations and passionate people, improved landscapes via native plantings and invasive species elimination initiatives, and linked tons of of adults via our artwork, music, and nature-related applications.
The expertise additionally expanded her personal connection to birds and conservation.
When she first began, her chook data was minimal, however with the ability to work on the Grange Insurance coverage Audubon Middle allowed Cierra to see birds she didn’t know existed – whereas additionally attending to study their historical past and particular quirks!
Considered one of her most memorable experiences was collaborating in spring migration monitoring efforts with Lights Out Columbus.
“I even braved the early mornings downtown to seek for chook strikes and rescue any injured birds in the course of the spring migration season with Lights Out Columbus,” shared Cierra.
Past conservation data, Cierra developed confidence, management expertise, and expertise partaking various audiences, all of which is able to assist form her future profession and conservation journey.
“I’m so grateful for this expertise and to all of my coworkers and Grange Insurance coverage Audubon volunteers that made this a memorable 12 months.” Cierra mentioned. “My hope is to take these gained expertise and data on to my subsequent journey and to proceed making a optimistic impression on the world!”
We’re grateful for Cierra’s service and for the impression she has made on the Grange Insurance coverage Audubon Middle and Columbus Group.
As one AmeriCorps journey concludes, one other begins.
We’re excited to welcome Hattie Benedetti as our incoming AmeriCorps member. A Columbus native, Hattie is raring to contribute to conservation and environmental training efforts in her hometown whereas persevering with her personal development as a conservation skilled.
She is most wanting ahead to sharing Audubon’s mission with guests and provoking others to type connections with nature and birds. In her free time, Hattie enjoys birdwatching, taking nature walks, images, discovering new locations to bounce in Columbus, and all issues crafting.
Welcome Hattie, we’re lucky to have you ever and your passions becoming a member of our crew!
Investing within the Way forward for Conservation
Applications like AmeriCorps play an vital position in creating future environmental leaders. By offering hands-on expertise, skilled growth, and alternatives to serve their communities, these applications assist construct a stronger and extra inclusive conservation motion.
On the Grange Insurance coverage Audubon Middle, AmeriCorps members do greater than assist our work. They turn into a part of a rising community of passionate people serving to guarantee a future the place folks and birds thrive collectively.
We’re proud to have a good time Cierra’s accomplishments and sit up for seeing the impression Hattie will make within the 12 months forward.
Welcome, Hattie, and thanks, Cierra, for serving to encourage the following era of conservationists.
