The writer Annie Dillard reminds us that ”how we spend our days, of course, is how we spend our lives.”
So how did we spend our days these last ten weeks? We spent our days at Savage Neck and Brinkley and Brownsville. We spent our days at the Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge and Fishermans Island. We spent our days listening to birds and each other. We spent our days connecting and questioning, exploring and explaining.
Many thanks to all the individuals and organizations who graciously and generously shared their time and talents, and who made this course not only possible, but amazing.
Thanks to all of our supporting agencies, and a special thanks to VIMS who offered an incredible classroom space. Thanks to our board for thoughtful leadership and Shannon for smart stewardship. Thanks to Ann who hasn’t met a problem she couldn’t solve.
And finally, a special thanks to the eighteen interested and interesting folks who decided to share their fall Thursdays with us and commit to making the shore an even better place to be.
Learning more about parts of the Shore I’ve observed all my life, but did not really understand, was a huge benefit for me – and the knowledge that there is so much out there for me to continue exploring.
Member, ESMN Class of 2024
How we spend our days is indeed how we spend our lives. We are spending it clearing preserve trails and planting native species.We are spending it counting turtles and growing oysters. We are spending it helping students discover the magic of the marsh. We are spending it engaged and connected and making a difference.
Many thanks to all and congratulations to the Master Naturalist class of 2024.
Top photo: Bridie Farmer’s (DWR) mammalogy display. Photo by Ann Quigley.