Annabelle is a recent graduate of The Derryfield School in Manchester. For her senior project she interned at SELT, where she got an up-close-and-personal look at the ins and outs of local conservation and stewardship. Below is an article she wrote herself – thanks Annabelle for the great work!
Derryfield gives its students a unique opportunity in their senior year to spend four weeks pursuing a passion outside of the traditional classroom setting called the Independent Senior Project (ISP). Students’ experiences range from interning and apprenticing to road tripping, working on a farm in Italy, or building a boat from scratch! In my case, I decided to enrich my love for the environment and environmental activism by interning at SELT.
Growing up on the New Hampshire Seacoast with a protected wetland and apple orchard in my backyard, nature has become a close friend to me. From raising and releasing monarch butterflies to planting our gardens each spring, I have learned to love and respect diverse organisms and ecosystems, as well as the connection between people and their environment. This love of nature has pushed me to take all of the environmental classes offered at Derryfield, join the Green Club, and major in environmental science at the University of Vermont this coming Fall! I knew I wanted connect my ISP to the environment, but I had no idea where to start. After a quick Google search, I compiled a list of potential organizations (SELT was number one!), started filling out volunteer forms, and the rest is history!
Here at SELT, I spent the month working closely with Zoe and Yohann to get hands-on experience in all things environmental conservation! This included working out in the field with Yohann and other volunteers. I went on a trail maintenance day at the Mast Road Natural Area, and have worked with volunteers from Liberty Mutual at the Tucker and French Family Forest to build bog bridges where flooding from beaver dams has taken over sections of trails.
Besides my passion for the environment, I also love horses! I’ve been riding for 13 years (since I was four), and compete across the country at the top levels of Morgan horse competition, including the world championships in Oklahoma each year. I own my very own horse, Pippin, who has a love for showing as much as I do! When I’m not riding (which isn’t often), I’m either playing tennis, reading a good book, or teaching others how to ride.
I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have a glimpse into my future in the environmental field!
Annabelle presenting about SELT at her Senior Project event