Spring is finally making its grand entrance, and I could not be more delighted. After what felt like an endless winter marked by record snowfall and cold days, I am thrilled that I can once again sit outside in the morning, coffee in hand, listening to birds sing instead of the loud hum of the snowplows.

With spring comes a renewed sense of energy, optimism, and if we’re honest, a long to‑do list that seems to grow faster than garlic mustard in May. By now, many of you have heard that HWA is on the move in our region; while this isn’t news we enjoy sharing, I’m encouraged by the way efforts are ramping up across the state to refine best management practices and by the continued hope and promise of biocontrol success. That said, we still need vigilant volunteers, especially during the winter months, to keep their eyes peeled. Early detection remains one of our strongest tools.

Behind the scenes here at SLELO PRISM, spring also means we’ve been deep in planning for the upcoming field season, which is approaching far more quickly than we prefer. We have an exciting year ahead: collaborating with Jefferson County CCE on a biodiversity and habitat enhancement project that will include multiple demonstration sites, our work with Oneida County SWCD through the CLAW program, numerous other collaborations with partners, conducting extensive field surveys, offering numerous volunteer opportunities, and laying the groundwork for restoration plantings this fall. It’s shaping up to be a robust and fulfilling season.

In the midst of all this planning and preparation, I recently found myself inspired by something a bit farther from home, about 250,000 miles farther. Following the Artemis II mission, astronaut Christina Koch shared a powerful reflection about teamwork, reminding us that a crew is bonded by shared purpose, accountability, sacrifice, and grace. When she spoke about seeing Earth surrounded by complete darkness, a tiny lifeboat suspended in the vastness of space, it was a striking reminder that we are all connected.

“Planet Earth,” she said, “you are a crew.” And she’s right. Whether we’re managing invasive species, restoring habitats, or simply showing up to help where we can, we are in this together. I look forward to seeing you all out in nature in the coming months – boots on, eyes open, and spirits high.

-Brittney Rogers