Reflecting: What Does Our Work Mean to Us?
SICIM Email
As we finished out Invasive Species Week, we asked ourselves, “why do we do this?” Why do we remove invasive species and work to improve Indiana habitats? It’s not an easy job. There are setbacks. Not enough time, or people power, or supplies. It is physically and mentally demanding. It can be very rewarding, but sometimes that reward takes a long time to get to. While all of us can generally say it is because we care about restoring and protecting our natural areas, everyone has a deeper reason, a more personal “why”. So SICIM staff reflected on their “why” and we thought we’d share them with you. What is YOUR “why”?
“My "why" is my two-year-old son. I manage invasive plant species because I want to conserve land for future generations.”
-Mandi Glanz, Northwest Regional Specialist
“I love the animals in the natural areas of Northern Indiana and I love finding them in their native habitat. I manage invasive species so that the critters I've loved from my childhood can continue to prosper and thrive for my children, and their children, and their children to discover and enjoy just as I have.”
-Dugan Julian, Northeast Regional Specialist
“My "why" has a lot to do with family. As a kid and now as an adult the outdoors has always been my escape and it's how my family bonds with one another. I want to preserve the special places I spent so much time in as a kid and protect the native plant communities that call those places home.”
-Kaila Knies, South Central Regional Specialist
My “why” is the smaller majority - a term I’m borrowing from one of my favorite nature photographers and entomologists, Piotr Naskrecki. Those lesser-known and underappreciated critters that make our world go ‘round without getting much notice or appreciation from us: insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. They play an extremely important role in our survival on the planet, and many are specialists relying on a certain plant or habitat for part of or possibly their entire lives. If those places or plants disappear, so do they, and so do the ecosystem services that they provide for us. It’s a partnership and I’m trying to hold up my end of the bargain.”
-Stephanie Schuck, Executive Director
“I do this because: 1) We have been entrusted with this planet and we are just beginning to understand the complexity, diversity, and interconnectedness of all things on it; 2) it’s an incredible and inspiring place; and 3) our children and their children not only need to, but deserve to love and care for this amazing place… you first have to know about something to love and care for it.”
-Dawn Slack, III Project Coordinator
“I manage invasives because turtles can't carry a chainsaw.”
-Amber Slaughterbeck, West Central Regional Specialist
“I have always felt most at home among the trees and you work to protect your home.”
-Liz Yetter, East Central Regional Specialist
