Alexis has been with Johnson Creek Watershed Council as a Confluence AmeriCorps member since Fall 2016. She’s done two service terms, from 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. She’s finishing up at the end of July! Throughout her time at JCWC, she’s supported our Riparian, Volunteer, and Community Science programs, as well as facilitated service learning trips with schools. Here’s a farewell note from her:
I don’t even know how to start this message! My time with the council has been invaluable for me both personally and professionally, and I’m filled with gratitude when reflecting on all of the opportunities and experiences I’ve had here. Being part of a team that has fun, helps each other out, and ultimately does good and brings people together has been phenomenal. I have loved so much of what I’ve gotten to do!
Some highlights have been… participating in JCWC’s organizational self-assessment and developing the Equity Action Plan; learning how to make eye-catching flyers; wading (and maybe falling) in the creek in advance of community science surveys; watching kids experience moments of discovery with macroinvertabrates; spending time in the field making friends and planting trees with Wisdom of the Elders; seeing hordes of people come out for our largest annual events; continuously learning about riparian plants with Noah; finding salamanders and frogs out near the creek; watching one-time volunteers grow into key community members we can call on; working in the snow alongside NCCC AmeriCorps Team Green 2; shopping for Watershed Wide costumes with Courtney; successfully convincing strangers that lamprey are cute and charismatic… the list goes on!
Getting to know Johnson Creek Watershed Council’s community –from students, volunteers, staff at partner organizations, and so on– has been so very special. I’ll be around at volunteer events, but please don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to stay in touch another way!
Take care,
Alexis