Giving Thanks and Giving Back

Patty Cooper became involved with TNC during the 1980s when her husband, a naturalist, took a job to help convert an RV Park into what is now the Hassayampa River Preserve. Today, as a volunteer at TNC’s Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, she volunteers together with her 13-year-old granddaughter, Cassidy. As “Roadkill Rangers,” Patty and Cassidy record and photograph roadkill encountered along a 23-mile stretch of Highway 82 to help advance a collaborative effort by TNC, the Borderlands Restoration Network, the Arizona Department of Transportation and others who will use the data to identify key wildlife corridors and improve highway safety.

Bill Zitek began volunteering at TNC’s Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island in New York after retiring from veterinary practice in 2000. It began with cutting invasive vines, in his words “simple but grounding work,” and later took shape in the form of restoring bird nesting boxes to support bluebirds and tree swallows. In fact, what started with 15 boxes grew to become 60 boxes over 19 years. Now residing in North Carolina (and overseeing thousands of nest boxes throughout the state), Bill remains connected to Mashomack and reflects fondly on his ambitious passion project.

Linda Fish grew up next door to TNC’s Tiger Creek Preserve in Florida, exploring the property for over 60 years (pre-dating its protection). Today, Linda is still enamored with the preserve. As a do-it-all volunteer, she dedicates her time and talent to sharing the preserve’s beauty. From monitoring the preserve’s eagles’ nest and maintaining trails to supporting tours and taking photos, Linda provides an essential role to advancing TNC’s mission at this location, which she refers to as “a labor of love for her backyard.”

Joe Todd, a volunteer at TNC's Cypress Island Preserve in Louisiana, moved near Lake Martin in 2000 and found himself regularly out photographing the area’s birds and other nature. A few years later, he introduced himself to TNC after learning they planned to build a Visitor Center nearby. Upon asking about whether they would need volunteers at the Center, he received a resounding “yes.” Although that project took longer than expected due to Hurricane Rita and other factors, he assumed the role as an official volunteer, helping with other projects around the preserve. Now, nearly two decades later, Joe continues in his volunteer capacity, scheduling the docents who greet visitors and managing the preserve’s annual photo contest. He also tends to odd jobs, which has provided opportunities to spot everything from butterflies and bees to bobcats and wild boar. 

Dave Courtemanch has gifted TNC’s Maine program with more than ten years of 30-hour weeks, as a volunteer, following a three-decade career with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s Water Bureau. During his time with DEP, Dave evaluated water quality, conducted river and lake restoration, researched biological effects of water pollution, and helped build Maine’s water quality classification system and standards. As a volunteer, he shared that expertise as a mentor to freshwater ecology staff and partners — including colleagues in Kenya and the Dominican Republic. Dave’s contributions are so important and consistent that he is considered as a member of TNC’s full-time staff in Maine, even boasting the title of Freshwater Science and Policy Specialist.

Patricia McMurray and Andy Bailey volunteer regularly as trail stewards at TNC’s Voorhees Preserve in Virginia where they battle invasive plants, clear trails and check on preserve safety for visitors. They also enjoy participating in native seed collection and longleaf pine seedling planting at Piney Grove Preserve. Both retired, Patricia and Andy enjoy being and working in nature, logging hundreds of volunteer hours yearly.  In retirement, they have committed to paying back as much as they have taken to make our world a better place. They also hope to  eventually volunteer at every TNC location in Virginia.

George Parker is a long time member of TNC’s Nassawango Stewardship Committee in Maryland. The committee serves as the longest serving volunteer group at TNC, still going strong for more than 40 years. Ever since a group of TNC supporters and trustees laid the groundwork for the initial 154-acre donation that created the Nassawango Creek Preserve, this group of volunteers has continued to grow with the property’s acreage, which is 9,953 acres today. Today, the committee’s members give countless hours of their personal time to maintaining the preserve, one of the last pieces of true wilderness left on the East Coast.