Volunteer

For Maryann, volunteering has always been about making a difference.

Long before she was monitoring bluebird nest boxes or restoring rare habitats, she spent her time helping residents in nursing homes and assisting homebound neighbors with everyday chores. What stayed with her most from those experiences wasn't just the satisfaction of helping others. It was the connections she made and the stories she heard along the way.

But over time, Maryann discovered another calling.

"I finally found my passion in helping nature," she says.

Today, volunteering means much more than giving her time. It's an opportunity to learn, connect with fellow conservationists, explore new places, and most importantly, help protect the natural world that supports us all.

Finding Her Conservation Calling

Maryann's journey into conservation took a transformative turn when she returned to college to earn a second degree in environmental conservation.

The experience opened her eyes to the challenges facing wildlife and natural habitats around the world. She became particularly fascinated by the concept of "shifting baselines," the idea that each generation accepts a diminished natural world as normal because they don't realize what has been lost.

That realization fueled her commitment to conservation.

"Most people spend time outdoors without realizing what's happening around them," Maryann explains. "The more I learned, the more I wanted to help."

Giving Birds a Better Future

If there's one thing Maryann knows, it's bluebirds.

A longtime nest box monitor for Pennsylvania's state parks and Monroe County Coordinator for the Bluebird Society of Pennsylvania, she's spent well over a decade collecting data and helping these beloved birds thrive.

Her path to volunteering with TNC began with a simple observation during a fall hike at the Tannersville Cranberry Bog. After spotting numerous bluebirds in a meadow managed by TNC, she reached out with a question:

Could she install and monitor bluebird nest boxes there?

The answer was yes.

That single request blossomed into years of dedicated service. Today, Maryann oversees nest boxes at three different TNC sites, helping provide safe nesting habitat for native birds while contributing valuable data to conservation efforts.

A Week She Looks Forward to Every Year

Among the many volunteer projects she's participated in, one stands out above the rest: Bog Week at the Tannersville Cranberry Bog Preserve, where it all started.

Each year, volunteers gather to help restore and maintain one of Pennsylvania's most unique ecosystems. For Maryann, stepping off the boardwalk and working within the bog itself never loses its magic.

"It's amazing to stand in a boreal bog right here in Pennsylvania," she says.

The experience has deepened her appreciation for habitat restoration and strengthened her admiration for the dedicated land stewards and conservation professionals she works alongside.

"I am proud to be a TNC volunteer and supporter."

We are incredibly grateful for Maryann's dedication, passion and unwavering commitment to conservation. Whether she's monitoring bluebird nest boxes, restoring critical habitat during Bog Week or planting native trees for future generations, Maryann leads with purpose and inspires others through her actions. Her enthusiasm for protecting wildlife and their habitat is contagious, and the time, knowledge and energy she shares with TNC have made a lasting impact. We are fortunate to have Maryann as part of our volunteer community and proud to celebrate her as a truly exceptional volunteer.

Thank you, Maryann!