In October, SPF welcomed and briefly introduced our new coordinator Madi, who comes to us with experience in grassroots environmental advocacy both during and after she earned her degree in Environmental Science at Messiah College. We thought you’d like to know a bit more about her so we asked a few questions to reveal the real Madi!
Where do you call home?
South Central PA
I just had to major in Environmental Science because…
I started off pre-med until I realized that I much preferred animal and plant anatomy over human anatomy and being outside over working in a hospital.
My favorite hike was at this place because…
In the Great Smoky Mountains, there is a short path at the top of a mountain that I’ve been to twice. I’m not sure what it’s called as it’s not marked on the majority of trail maps, but it is the most beautiful, untouched forest I’ve ever seen. The air is clean and crisp and you’re high enough in elevation that the atmosphere is thick with clouds of fog. Every tree is dripping with lichen and moss and the rotting wood on the forest floor is slick with moisture. Under an unusually high number of logs, you can find threatened species of salamanders. It looks like a magical, fairy-inhabited movie scene.
If I could live in any Pennsylvania state forest, it would be…
Cherry Springs State Park! I’ve not been there yet because it’s fairly far from where I live, but it’s known to have the clearest star gazing views east of the Mississippi because of the lack of light pollution in the area.
I love this Pennsylvania tree best because…
I’ve always had a soft spot for the American Sycamore. The shades of bark that peel off to reveal other colors have always reminded me of a neutral-toned paint palette. The Shagbark Hickory is a close second.
My most memorable wildlife encounter was when…
I was helping someone net songbirds for research when suddenly, we caught a pair of Baltimore Orioles. We brought them inside to band them and record their measurements. For those who don’t know, Baltimore Orioles are one of the few Eastern bird species that sing an actual melody and it’s one of my favorite bird songs. While holding the birds, the male belted out his song and it was so loud and clear in the small space of the room that it gave me chills–not to mention the privilege of seeing his brilliant orange feathers up close.
Call me crazy, but if I can get away to the woods, it would be to…
Forage for mushrooms! Not necessarily edible ones–I love identifying all different types. I’m a bit rusty on my species but I have some good identification books that I’m hoping to brush up the dust off of in the spring.
But more seriously – what attracted you to SPF?
I love nature and strengthening humanity’s relationship with it far too much to spend my life being anything but an environmental advocate. Of course, this love started with Pennsylvania’s state forests–I grew up neighboring Little Buffalo State Park.
What is your New Year’s Resolution for Pennsylvania’s state forests?
More native trees, more biodiversity, more public engagement.