Getting my feet wet as a novice naturalist

So after 22 hours of instruction at the Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge, I realize that becoming a Master Naturalist is an awesome responsibility. Not only does it involve a lot of study, both the book kind and the field kind, but I need to find the right niche for volunteering. There are enough opportunities to keep me busy day in and day out, but I don't think that trail-blazing is my speed, and I balk at the idea of working with kids, though why that is, I don't really know.
I could catalogue specimens or write for the newsletter or do presentations or plant trees, even make up my own volunteer activity, as long as it's approved and is something that allows me to give back the knowledge I gain to others in West Virginia. Already I've signed up for the refuge "block party" in June and to help with a group of sixth-graders from another county who are visiting Blackwater Falls State Park in May, as well as to make some contributions to the refuge newsletter.

The week-end was tiring and inspiring, both at once. But getting out in the field this morning, donning the muck boots and venturing into the wetlands under the experienced hand of a young, female biologist who is a walking encyclopedia about everything wetlands, was the highlight of the week-end. Just being in the presence of several species of plants that are making their last stand right here in the Canaan Valley was an almost sacred experience. Seeing evidence of the earth healing itself is exhilarating, but its got its work cut out for it after centuries of disturbances from both man and insects. And the deer damage is evident everywhere.

Fortunately for all of us, there are incredibly talented people working every day to save our planet. Some are being paid, and some are volunteers, but their dedication is inspiring. I just hope that I make the grade. When I am in doubt, I look at photographs like the one below -- done by a professional photographer, to be sure -- called "Glory." That's the sun setting in this beautiful valley. I just hope that the sun hasn't set on the delicate ecosystems and amazing biodiversity that's still hanging on here. I just want to do a small part in keeping it around a while longer. As I said, it's an awesome responsibility.