When I graduated from University of North Carolina in December of 2020, I did what most fresh college graduates do and I started looking for a job in the environmental science field rather aimlessly. When I saw the job listing from Unique Places to Save, I thought it was an absolute perfect fit for me. It involved learning the ins and outs of land conservation, field work in all types of environments from wetlands to mountains, and working on grant funded projects to improve stream health. These were all skills that related to my field of study and also struck a chord with my personal passions. I applied and anxiously waited to hear back.
After my interview, Michael and Christine saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself at the time and hired me. I was terrified because it was my first career-related job, but I pushed forward. I got started immediately and knocked out almost 40 site visits across North Carolina in my first year. It was amazing to see the impact of Unique Places to Save's conservation efforts in person. Every acre, every stream, every imperiled species on the property that I saw affirmed that what Unique Places to Save and land trusts across the country do is incredibly important to protect our natural resources. Taking on the Conservation Specialist role here gave me a purpose and helped me channel my passions into something impactful.
With Unique Places to Save, I was able to travel across the southeast and see some beautiful places. I experienced the rolling hills in Kentucky, bedrock streams in Tennessee, cascading waterfalls in the mountains of NC, and luscious tidal wetlands on the coast of NC. These are memories that I will cherish forever and also experiences that shaped me into a better person. Working here built my confidence by pushing me out of my comfort zone. I guess every young adult experiences this at some point, but I had a paralyzing fear of not knowing what I was doing. The cool thing is, you always figure it out. You build your skills and confidence and keep improving as a person so that you can take on the next challenge.
I was entrusted to do these travels on my own as well as complete necessary stewardship tasks, create relationships with mitigation partners and landowners, and make sound judgments to uphold the reputation of the company. I was provided with professional development opportunities like working with other environmental agencies, participating in writing prestigious grants and important permits, and attending the Land Trust Alliance National Conference. Michael and Christine always trusted me, believed in me, and pushed me to keep learning. At some point I started to believe them and I grew in my own self confidence. Enough that I decided to pursue a Master’s degree, something I never thought I could do. Now with the skills and experiences I received working with Unique Places to Save, I will move on and continue to shape my career in environmental science.
Despite being sad about my departure, I feel confident leaving behind a solid stewardship program and I am so excited to pass the torch to the next Conservation Specialist, Miranda Taylor, who I know will be a fantastic representative for the organization and continue the momentum of our successful stewardship program. Good luck and I can’t wait to see what you and Unique Places to Save continue to accomplish!
