By Hannah Weilnau, Donor Outreach Coordinator

The day kicked off with an infectious energy that felt like the buzz of spring pollinators. Volunteers and staff were reconnecting after a long winter, sharing warm coffee and enjoying our favorite bagels from Barry Bagels. It was the perfect way to start the day!

It was thrilling to see our office filled once again. Out of all the attendees, nearly a third of our group were new to volunteering with Legacy–a wonderful sign our community is growing!

As the training session began, Chuck, one of our star Eco Steward volunteers, eagerly shared his knowledge, tips, and tools with fellow volunteers. It was heartwarming to see our volunteers, who don’t often get to meet in person, bonding and building community.

Chuck is frequently out at Johnson Preserve, enthusiastically tackling invasive species with his power loppers or chainsaw. If you’re interested in becoming an Eco Steward like Chuck, reach out to me via email to learn more about this rewarding opportunity!

During the volunteer tabling and outreach session, we took a moment to reflect on what excites our volunteers about Legacy and how we can expand our mission. Jacqui, one of our dedicated photomonitors and long-time volunteers, shared her passion for getting kids outside and teaching them about invasive plant identification and environmental careers. When I told her about our partnerships with local schools, she lit up and expressed her eagerness to help expand that program.

As the training continued, I noticed a recurring theme of empowerment among our volunteers–exactly what I hoped to foster when I jumped into the volunteer program last year. Our volunteers are some of the kindest, most passionate people I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and it’s important that they share their talents in ways that resonate with them. Whether it’s someone like Chuck leading established programs or someone like Jacqui paving their own path, our volunteers are making a meaningful impact in their own unique ways.

Easement Stewardship Manager Clint McGill updates a group of photomonitor volunteers.

I also want to thank Clint and Kyler, our easement and preserve managers, for talking with volunteers who were already familiar with us and providing them with more in-depth training and conversation. We took feedback from last year to create more space for personalized attention for our returning volunteers.

As staff buzzed from room to room, I felt a sense of harmony and teamwork that was truly special. It was wonderful to spend time with so many of my colleagues, working together toward our shared goals.

Every year, the amount of land we protect grows–and with it, our need for more volunteers. We’re continuously refining and shaping our programs, and I’m excited to see how we’ll continue to improve and grow in the years to come. It’s an adventure I’m proud to share with such an incredible crew of colleagues and volunteers!