In 2022, life brought me from Appalachian Tennessee to Oneida County, New York. I searched for home here the only way I knew how, by spending time in nature and finding familiarity among the trails. I fell in love with the region quickly, and a passion for community science and amateur mycology quickly formed.

In searching for opportunities to learn more and continue to connect with land, I found SLELO PRISM. My volunteer experience with them started with training for the Volunteer Surveillance Network and joining a spotted lanternfly early detection initiative with iMapInvasives. Since then, I have joined SLELO in habitat restoration plantings and hemlock woolly adelgid surveys. I continue to use the knowledge and tools I have gained from these experiences every day, and it’s one way I show gratitude towards the land that has done so much for me on my journey.

I look forward to continuing to volunteer with SLELO while learning and finding new places to fall in love with here. If you are considering getting involved with SLELO or your local PRISM, you will be joining a community of people who care about protecting our ecosystems and deepening your own connection to our land and waters.

~ Hope Teichroew, SLELO volunteer