Natural Lands

Natural Lands saves land from development. Their 40+ nature preserves are open to the public and stayed open during Covid when federal and state parks were closed. Walking regularly on their lovely properties was a life saver for me. I also volunteer regularly to maintain the preserves and have made friends with the many volunteers. I am also impressed with the employees, and how they support the mission. I donate and plan to continue my contributions.

Currently, I volunteer for Natural Lands. I have been a life-long supporter of ecological diversity and have donated small dollar amounts to various organizations over time. Experiencing our swiftly changing weather patterns and ongoing natural habitat destruction, pushed me to do more. In 2017, I completed the requirements to become a Pennsylvania Master Naturalist (a separate non-profit, run by the State). As part of maintaining the designation, a volunteer must give back to the community at least 20 hours a year. It had been many years since I pledged a portion of my precious time. A career in the financial field and extensive family obligations kept me very busy. And now, even though I still have those obligations, I knew it is possible to find 20 hours a year to be a part of an organization whose mission aligns with mine.
Natural Lands' incredible preserves are open to the public. Their signage first alerted me to the organization. Whether I was exploring large swaths of reconstructed meadows, strolling through managed forests, listening to bubbling creeks filled with clean water, or spotting my very first bald eagle, I knew I wanted to be a part of their mission to conserve and preserve open space.
Debbie Beer is the Director of Volunteer Engagement and runs the Force of Nature volunteer program. The program includes hands-on learning as well as discussions about land management and the role of specific species in our ecosystem. She is instrumental in training us non-scientists to become credible communicators of the Natural Lands mission. With her quick smile, Debbie makes learning interesting and fun. She is very well versed in bird identification and shares her interest with great joy.
Mae Axelrod is the Media Relations Manager and encourages volunteers to take pictures and comment on various aspects of the Preserves. She updates Natural Lands' social media profile among other responsibilities.
Both Debbie and Mae are easy-going and supportive of any and all of the volunteer efforts. My volunteer experiences include two active citizen science projects, occasional maintenance of property by culling invasive vines, and planting native species for future generations. I've also assisted with public outreach. Natural Lands hosts musical events in the warmer months, which casts an even wider net to bring attention to their Mission.
Open space is for everyone. I believe Natural Lands has the will, the staff and a strong volunteer base to continue to inform the public about the critical need to maintain ecological diversity.
Preserving tracts of land begins with opening minds. Natural Lands does this with a gentle dedication to educate all about the most pressing issue of our time.