This piece was submitted by Amy Cirio, a 2018 intern. Amy is an undergraduate student majoring in Biology at Lindenwood University.
It would be impossible to detail all the ways my summer at Litzsinger Road Ecology Center (LREC) impacted me, but so clear is the fact that my internship at the LREC was filled with knowledge, experience, and friendship.
The thing I was most looking forward to was learning about plants. I learned so many things about them this summer, but the most valuable was how much about them I have yet to learn! Before I started the internship I knew I liked plants, but throughout the course of the summer I became aware of so many new aspects of their lives. During the process of identifying them, I became aware of the tiny details that make them unique. Before the summer I was really only familiar with wild growing plants, but during the internship I was able to participate in the entire process of propagation. I collected and cleaned seeds which would eventually be germinated in trays of soil. Once the seedlings were big enough I moved them into individual pots and monitored their growth with consistent watering. Once they had outgrown their pots I transplanted them to larger pots or directly into the ground. Through experience I became acquainted with the steps it takes to grow a native plant from seeds until it is ready to be planted. I will be able to use that knowledge for the rest of my life as I pursue a career in ecological restoration.
One of the most educational aspects of the internship was the independent research project. I was able to follow my interests and conduct a study using dendrochronology for the first time. I tried something I had never done before and through the process I became more comfortable with dendrochronology as well as doing research and collecting and interpreting data. Looking back on the research project I am able to see how beneficial it was to have the opportunity to experiment with these methods for the first time in such a constructive environment.
I couldn’t possibly describe everything I learned at LREC this summer, but one thing I can describe is how grateful I am to have met everyone I worked with. I must begin with Lauren, my co-intern. She taught me so much and was the best partner I could have imagined. Our teamwork made every task much less daunting. We shoveled mulch together, watered plants together, and traversed hardware stores together. I learned so much from her and I am so excited to watch as she changes the world! The other people I had the privilege of working closely with were Mary and Susan who provided me with everything I needed to feel comfortable and confident. Susan gave me a lot of sound advice about my future in ecology, and Mary taught me things about plants and people that I will use for the rest of my life. Likewise, spending time with the volunteers at LREC was such a joy. The volunteers are so kind and helpful and I got to see first hand how impactful their work is. Being able to participate in so many facets of the volunteer activities at LREC showed me how important volunteers are for conservation and restoration efforts. Participating directly in such a committed and well rounded group of volunteers helped me learn more about effective teamwork and leadership.
The experiences I had this summer at LREC were not only enjoyable, but highly educational and constructive. I am extremely grateful for everyone that helped me this summer and I am excited to keep seeing them as I continue to volunteer at LREC into the future!
