Written by Tate Mullin

This summer with UCF was spent working on many projects, from completing literature reviews and creating Excel templates to helping municipalities manage their street trees in the face of Emerald Ash Borer. All of these experiences brought a new skill or point of view to my repertoire, and taught me about the work I want to do in the long run. However, they are not what stand out in my time with UCF. Instead, I smile about the people I spent the summer with and the ridiculous stories that come from field work; stories like detouring through New Hampshire to avoid flood damaged roads, or hunting down State Champion trees in someone’s backyard, getting stinging nettle and a few odd looks along the way.

When boiled down, this is what is so wonderful about conservation work. Otherwise inconvenient or uncomfortable situations become enjoyable when you are surrounded by people who share your passions. Things like getting caught unprepared in the rain, or blistering all over your hands from hours of ash pounding are the type of stories that make you grin when recounted. They make you reminisce on the beautiful places they occurred, and the people and little details of the day. Through these experiences I was able to grow professionally and in my personal relationship with nature. So, thank you to UCF for fantastic summer, and for letting me romp around Vermont with you.