April is National Volunteer Month, a perfect time to uplift and celebrate all that Trustees volunteers bring to protecting our state’s special places for everyone, forever. We sat down with two of our North Shore volunteers, Chris Vodicka and Don Lynch, to discover what they enjoy most about caring for their favorite Trustees properties—whether monitoring the coast and salt marshes, leading hiking and kayaking expeditions, or running the Coastal Education Volunteer book club.

Can you tell us a bit about who you are and how you got started volunteering with The Trustees?

Chris: I moved to Newbury with my family almost 4 years ago from St. Louis. It was a big move, and I had just retired from a high school teaching career. I was looking for ways to get to know the area, be outside, get involved, and meet people. I found out about the Coastal Education Volunteer training at the Crane Estate, and it sounded like a great opportunity, so I applied. Val Perini ran the training and did an amazing job. I learned a ton and met some really nice people. I’ve been volunteering ever since.

Don: I am a scientist by training with a Ph.D. in Food Science from Cornell University and a BS in Food Science from the University of Massachusetts. I worked for over 40 years in the food industry managing R&D and Quality Control departments for large companies such as Gorton’s Seafood, Campbell Soup, General Mills and H. P. Hood.

I have lived In Ipswich for 35 years with my wife Leslie and my three daughters, and now I have 3 young grandchildren (ages 2, 3 and 5) living close by who keep me very busy. When I retired in 2021, I wanted to get involved in community service that could utilize my scientific training, challenge me on environmental and climate change initiatives, and be primarily outdoor activities. Instead of just staying home and worrying about these critical issues, I could visit Trustees locations and work on solving them. The Trustees opportunity has met my goals.

I was already very familiar with who the Trustees are, being a long-time member, giving membership gifts to my children each year, and even having two daughters get married on Trustees properties (Crane Estate and Moraine Farm). I really liked the Trustees mission of providing a balance between preservation of properties and recreational use of properties. I started volunteering in 2021, and completed the Coastal Education Volunteer Training Program in 2022.

What does a typical day of volunteering look like for you? Can you walk us through some of your work?

Chris: From the time I started volunteering, I’ve enjoyed working with the school field trip groups that come to Crane in the spring and fall for the beach and dune program, the salt marsh program, and occasionally the farm programs at Appleton. Also, I run the Coastal Education Volunteer book club at the Crane Estate. We read books on coastal and environmental topics as a way to further our knowledge as volunteers. We meet every eight weeks, fall through spring. It’s been a great way to learn about and discuss different topics with a group that’s eager to learn.

Don: I do a variety of activities with the Trustees. I am involved in coastal monitoring activities that include monthly water quality testing and beach profiling at Crane Estate, Appleton Farms, and Coolidge Reservation. These activities involve measuring various water quality attributes and measuring the changing slope of the sandy beach dunes.

I also help with hikes through the Crane Estate property, as well as help guide kayak tours on Castle Neck River and Essex Bay. These activities are especially fun for bird enthusiasts to see migratory birds on the properties in all seasons, including piping plovers, terns, osprey, snowy owls, and bald eagles. I love these activities because I get outside in all months of the year to explore these beautiful properties, and I get to meet active folks who are often concerned citizens looking to provide some community service.

I also have had the opportunity to participate in the coastal education book club where other volunteers interested in coastal issues meet regularly to discuss important books and ideas about a variety of topics.

What have you enjoyed most about volunteering at The Trustees? What are some things you are doing that excite you, or that you are most proud of?

Chris: I’ve learned so much and continue to learn every time I volunteer. Crane is never the same place twice—there’s no end of stuff to explore no matter how many times you’ve been to any given spot. I love seeing kids get excited and engage with the material at the field trip programs. I’m probably most proud of my work with the CEV book club. It’s been a great experience, and I’m grateful for the other volunteers who come together for our discussions. I think we’ve all learned a lot from the books we’ve read. We’ve even been lucky to have a few guest authors join us when we’ve read local books.

Don: I enjoy the variety of things I get to do at the Trustees. Going out onto the beaches after a storm to view and measure the changing landscape of the dunes, summarizing and presenting water quality data for Trustees ecologists to study the effect of surrounding rivers and tidal currents, helping young students discover hidden treasures such as freshly uncovered shipwreck remains, or simply talking with visitors on kayak trips about the benefits of volunteering—all these things are so enjoyable.

The absolute best thing about volunteering is being surrounded by people who truly care about our environment and the biodiversity of our planet. Being able to work with this group to make contributions to The Trustees’ efforts to preserve the beach dunes, restore the marsh land, and protect migratory birds—including nesting piping plovers—is a truly rewarding experience.

Any advice to share for new volunteers at The Trustees, or for those considering becoming a volunteer?

Chris: Do it! Don’t let anything hold you back—the staff and volunteers are wonderful and very welcoming. There are so many different things to choose from, so it’s easy to find something that will be fun and interesting. Plus, what an amazing way to spend some time in a beautiful place!

Don: My advice to new volunteers is to not wait for the perfect moment, but to start now and try different things. Volunteering is not just an opportunity to give back to the community, but it is also an opportunity to learn new things, help make a difference in our world, participate as a “citizen scientist”, and meet some very interesting and fun folks.

From agriculture to art curation, gardening to trail management, volunteers are at the heart (and on the ground) of the Trustees mission. Interested in joining the Trustees family by lending a hand? Learn more about volunteering and open positions at our volunteer website, or email questions to volunteer@thetrustees.org.