As I laced up my hiking boots at the Cotton Mountain trailhead I thought to myself…

After a summer collecting water quality data all over Maine…

A Contemplation of the New Moon

“A serious talk about a silly topic.”

“Across the globe, freshwater lakes serve as vital ecosystems and cultural hubs, each with its unique history and significance.”

“I’m naturally drawn to reflect on what I’ve gained from these past ten months.”

“As a bug enthusiast at heart, I was thrilled to “dive” into stream sampling for macros.”

“A recurring characteristic that quickly became one of my favorites that I enjoyed during my service term: establishing deeper bonds to the human community while working with the more-than-human community.”

"Shortly after, well into my Environmental Science and Policy degree, I stumbled upon an emotion I had not anticipated: profound despair."

"The water on Newfound lake sparkles in the afternoon sun as we paddle out to the Hebron Marsh, a shallow 50 acre area at the north end of Newfound Lake."