The coldest February and March on record can't seem to slow the VLeesylvania State Park all that much
I had the opportunity to meet with part of the team recently to get their stories, and some of interesting stories they had to share.
Turner Pond at Sky Meadows State Park
I am always curious as to the “why” of people and service. Being a volunteer myself, I know why I do it but I love hearing the reasons of why other people have chosen to spend their time doing work that is not always easy, so here is what I have learned…
The team with staff member Paul Billings
The four member Leesylvania State Park located near Woodbridge.
Team members are:
· Rob McVay (crew leader)
· George Herandez-Meija
· Ian Lookabaugh
· Jamie Jefferson
The team will be completing a wide variety Resource Management projects from trail work to working with live animal displays. Recently on a cold snowy, day they installed flagstones in a historic barn located at Sky Meadows State Park.
Great work on a fence line!
So now let's get to know the team a little better!
Georgeis from California. I was telling him about one of my nephews that lives in Washington D.C. had been to LA recently, said the traffic is worse in DC than in LA, he agreed! George said "that working with the VSCC and VSP would not be able to do under normal circumstances is not only good for them, but the feeling I get from being able to look around me and being able to see the beautiful woods around that I would not be able to see if I was surrounded by four walls is just a great breathtaking."
Ianis from Lubec, ME. He recently graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in Wildlife Ecology. Ian said, “I was seeking an opportunity that would give me a valuable work experience, a sense of giving back and accomplishment, the ability to work outdoors and with my hands, and a little bit of money to help pay the bills. The work we do is varied, challenging, and fun, and will become increasingly so as the days progress". Ian also told me he has enjoyed working with the State Parkstaff and co-workers.
Jamieis from Wisconsin so I am sure our winters here in Virginia are a "piece of cake" to her. This is not her first experience working outdoors as she served with a Youth Corps in Utah. I asked she was homesick and she said "no",I know I would be, but not for Wisconsin winters either!
Robert, the team leader, has since left for another position and will be missed. He is originally from Tennessee but now resides in Virginia and is currently retired from the military. He would like to have a second career in public lands management.
The VSCC team better this year as they work on park projects from Northern Virginia to the Eastern Shore.
To learn more about the here.
To plan your next visit to see some of the results from our hard-working VSCC at here.