Category Archives: In Your Words

Willow writing in her nature journal beside a vernal pool at Arcadia

In Your Words: Willow, Age 8

Posted on December 15, 2020 by Ryan D.

Willow is a young Mass Audubon member making a big impact. Check out our “Nature in Your Neighborhood” videos that highlight some of her adventures in nature, including a Fun Fungi Hunt and Exploring a Vernal Pool.

Nature Hero Willow, Age 8
Nature Hero Willow, Age 8

I’ve been going to Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton and Northampton my whole life. When I was very little, my mom (who is a teacher naturalist at Arcadia), dad, and I would go snowshoeing on the trails. I would get tired, fall over on the snow, and that was Dad’s cue to pick me up so I could fall asleep in his arms.

Mom decided to start regular walks at Arcadia called First Child in the Woods Walks because she couldn’t find any fun events for little kids to get out in nature. At first, I was just going on the walks my mom would lead. As I got older, I started helping. If I noticed kids were interested in a natural object, I would help them discover its story. For example, how hollow logs can be animal homes and sometimes, if the hollow tree is still standing, you can listen and look for bats.

Willow and her mom, Brittany, leading a First Child in the Woods Walk at Arcadia © Phil Doyle
Willow and her mom, Brittany, leading a First Child in the Woods Walk at Arcadia © Phil Doyle

In addition to the walks, I attended preschool and camp at Arcadia, where I learned how to do a leaf rubbing, identify animal tracks and plants, and make pancakes with delicious homemade maple syrup. As a camper—a Kingfisher!—I play games like Predator/Prey, identify fungi, make nature crafts, and go on adventures.

But my absolute favorite thing to do at the sanctuary is visit the Pine Forest and the Clay Pits. I love making forts, and the Pine Forest has the perfect natural materials—sticks,
twigs, pine needles, leaves, logs, trees, branches, and mud. I like to make little clay mushrooms and hide them around the Clay Pits to find later.

Willow writing in her nature journal beside a vernal pool at Arcadia
Willow writing in her nature journal beside a vernal pool at Arcadia

I hope all kids can enjoy nature like I do, and try to protect it, too. If I could give other kids advice, I would tell them to build forts, hike, climb safely, go birding, look for
salamanders under logs and by vernal pools (but please don’t touch—it could hurt the salamanders), listen for bats, inspect pond water, play, and use their imagination.

In Your Words is a regular feature of Mass Audubon’s Explore member newsletter. Each issue, a Mass Audubon member, volunteer, staff member, or supporter shares their story—why Mass Audubon and protecting the nature of Massachusetts matters to them. If you have a story to share about your connection to Mass Audubon, email [email protected]  to be considered for In Your Words in a future issue! 

Scott Edwards by James Deshler

In Your Words: Scott V. Edwards

Posted on September 22, 2020 by Hillary T.
Scott V. Edwards © James Deshler
Scott V. Edwards © James Deshler

Scott Edwards is a Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, Curator of Ornithology in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, and Mass Audubon Council Member. On June 6, 2020, Scott left his home in Concord, Massachusetts, to set off on a cross-country bike trip. He spoke to Mass Audubon’s Hillary Truslow in July from a campsite in Wall, South Dakota.

On Biking Across the Country

The idea for this trip was hatched a long time ago. It’s a wonderful way to see a place—some say it’s the classic American adventure. It’s got a scale that is frankly awesome.

Birding Then & Now

My first introduction to birds was when I was 9 or 10 years old when a neighbor took me birdwatching in Riverdale, New York, where I grew up. The “spark bird” for me was the Northern Flicker, or what we used to call a Yellow-shafted Flicker. I couldn’t believe that something so gaudy and outrageous in a field guide could be in my backyard. On the bike trip so far, I was excited to see a Western Flycatcher, the Upland Sandpipers were super cool, and when I saw Yellow-headed Blackbirds I almost fell off my bike.

A Scene from South Dakota © Scott V. Edwards
A Scene from South Dakota © Scott V. Edwards

Attracting More People to Science

I was fortunate that I could follow my dreams and do what makes me happy. Not everyone has that luxury. We need to ensure that young people can make a living in science and that some of the coolest, weirdest, offbeat people are scientists. It’s not all people in white lab coats spending time indoors. In fact, a major part of my classes is spent outdoors learning biodiversity everywhere from Costa Rica to Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield.

Black in Nature

I consider myself a naturalist and pretty good at outdoorsy stuff like camping. Yet I have never worked on a farm and have very little knowledge of agricultural life. The other day I was fascinated watching a hay baler and posted a video on Twitter. I used #blackinnature mainly to poke fun at myself and to say that this is a totally different world than I am used to.

At the same time, it’s interesting to think of the intersection between African Americans and the natural world. Black Birders Week convinced me that there are lots of young folks out there in this space. And the hashtag is a nice way to say, hey look, there are African Americans interested in nature, that nature is for everyone, and hopefully get even more people of color learning about nature.

Wetlands in South Dakota © Scott V. Edwards
Wetlands in South Dakota © Scott V. Edwards

In Your Words is a regular feature of Mass Audubon’s Explore member newsletter. Each issue, a Mass Audubon member, volunteer, staff member, or supporter shares their story—why Mass Audubon and protecting the nature of Massachusetts matters to them. If you have a story to share about your connection to Mass Audubon, email [email protected]  to be considered for In Your Words in a future issue!