Before coming to the Squam Lakes Conservation Society I was always someone who thrived on constant movement and achieving my goals at top speed. I believed that my success came from never taking a moment to slow down. The idea of “stopping to smell the roses” seemed like a dreadful and foreign concept, irrelevant to my pursuit of success. Now don’t get me wrong, I still love seeing how fast I can go, and one of my goals this summer has been to climb as many mountains as possible, but my time at SLCS has taught me that there is immense value in slowing down and being observant of my surroundings.
From the onset, I was set free into the woods to monitor property boundaries which SLCS holds conservation easements on. Rather than moving through these properties at record speed, in order to successfully complete a monitoring visit you need to be able to spot blazes and tape which will lead you to various features such as iron rods, stone walls, and very tiny drill holes in rocks. Sometimes the tape falls or the blazes fade which forces you to really slow down and look for other clues. Clues that are quite easy to miss if you don’t slow down to smell the roses. Over the course of the last 3 months I’ve seen some pretty neat things, and have logged a ton of iNaturalist observations on my walks through the woods including 10 different fern species and some really interesting fungi (thanks endless rain!)
One evening, just before the sun began to set on Squam, I embarked on a mesmerizing kayak adventure in search of wild blueberries tucked within Squam’s many coves that would forever etch a profound picture in my mind. Gliding along the increasingly still waters, the vibrant hues of the setting sun painted the sky, casting a glow on the surrounding landscape. As I floated along in my little red kayak, I felt an overwhelming sense of awareness of the greater picture of conserved land on and around Squam. The relatively untouched beauty of the shoreline and 6 loons that I paddled by exemplified the significance of local conservation efforts. As I paddled further, I couldn’t help but visualize the countless acres of protected land with each piece working together to preserve the delicate balance of this pristine ecosystem that is truly unlike anything else in the world. The experience instilled in me a deep appreciation for the individuals and organizations around Squam that are dedicated to ensuring that Squam remains the way it is now for generations to come. By the end of my paddle I had found maybe a handful of ripe blueberries, and besides being a teensy bit hungry I was ok with that. What I had found was the reason why all the slow treks that I have taken through the soggy tick and mosquito infested woods to monitor properties this summer are so critical.
As I sit here, facing the reality of having only three weeks left in Holderness, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for this place. The time has passed so swiftly that it feels like a blur, yet each moment has etched such fond memories into my heart. The scenic landscapes, calm lakes, and majestic mountains have been the backdrop of my transformative summer in Holderness. Everyday has brought a new adventure, a new lesson, and a new appreciation for the landscape around me. As my departure date draws near, the bittersweet feeling intensifies. I wish I could freeze time and linger in this place that has given me so much joy and fulfillment. Yet my return to school looms on the horizon. It’s challenging to say farewell to the tranquility that local conservation efforts have made to make this the special place that it is, but I’m sure it’ll just be a “see you later.”
Erika is a half-year member serving at the Squam Lakes Conservation Society. Learn more about Erika here!