In the summer of 2010, I first volunteered at Camp Sagawau and it was a life changing experience. Through the Associated Colleges of Illinois, I was exposed to the Student Conservation Association (SCA), and that is how I volunteered at Sagawau doing restoration work. After volunteering for a week, I was offered a position as an intern for the SCA. Five years later, here I am today, an intern for the Friends of the Forest Preserve’s Leadership Corp (FPLC) program. Aside from working with the FPLC, I also assist other Friends of the Forest Preserve staff in doing outreach work by promoting free recreation events in the forest preserves of Cook County.
Eduardo Paz helps teach a youngster how to fish at one of our free recreation events in the Calumet.
Through the FPLC, I have acquired many new and helpful skills. I have broadly expanded my knowledge in native plants and trees, as well as invasive species. In just the eight months that I worked with the FPLC, I have learned to appreciate the natural forest preserve land a lot more. Being out in the field four days a week can really have a lasting impact on a person. I have gained skills in chainsawing, tree identification, invasive plant identification, prescribed burns, first aid and CPR, as well as public speaking. These are just some of the many skills we have acquired.
Public speaking is probably one of the most useful skills we have acquired. Being able to speak to an audience is required in almost every job, not only while working in conservation. One of the most memorable events where I had to put my public speaking skills to the test was when our crew presented and led activities in front of elementary school children and children with special needs at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. During that presentation, we informed the children about the work we do and why controlling invasive species is important. Although the information that we presented was very informative, the best part was being able to see how much the children enjoyed talking to us about the work we do. We literally let them step in our shoes by giving them the opportunity to take pictures with our chainsawing gear and prescribed burn suit.
I am very grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given to be a member of the FPLC. The work we do is very rewarding and inspiring. I am excited to see what other opportunities are presented to me because of the skills I have acquired through the Forest Preserve Leadership Corps.
By: Eduardo Paz, former Forest Preserve Leadership Corps member. Eduardo recently left Friends to start a new position with the Student Conservation Corps. We trained him so well, another organization stole him.