14
Our
Summer
By Jac Talcott, Watershed Stewardship Coordinator
T
his summer season, the WLAC had the opportunity to hire two seasonal stewardship interns to help conquer the many facets of fieldwork our organization must accomplish. After interviewing some amazing applicants, we selected Lane Whitcomb and Cooper Motley for this year’s internship program. They provided an extraordinary combination of knowledge and skills to apply to our land and lake-based programming. From researching permanent boat wash stations to surveying for invasives, while also completing hours of trail work, their impact on the Walloon watershed will last for years to come. Below are some highlights from an interview with these two incredible young professionals:
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE WLAC? LANE: I am currently halfway through my Junior Year at Northern Michigan University, where I am studying Political Science with a concentration in public administration and minoring in sustainability. I grew up in Petoskey and lived within half a mile of Walloon Lake and never heard of WLAC until I was doing job searches for the summer. I stumbled upon the recommendation to apply to this job opportunity, and now here I am!
Volume LI | Issue 3
Stewards
COOPER: Invasive species surveying and monitoring. This allowed us to go to properties that are not as commonly used and see parts of Walloon that are not as publicly visible.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOOL? LANE: The riding lawn mower, named the “Wheel Horse.” The amount of time I spent maintaining the active use area at Postle Farm preserve with that mower!
DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS AN INVASIVE SPECIES: LANE: Periwinkle because it looks okay and tolerable but can be obnoxious. COOPER: Japanese Barberry because although it's invasive, it looks good as a decor plant and like its thorns, I am always armed and dangerous.
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAY?
COOPER: The chainsaw. Using a chainsaw was my favorite tool to work with this year. Cutting up wood has a special place in my heart.
LANE: For me, it's that for this job you have to have adaptability. There was a lot of change to our workspace and pace of work. You need to be open to change and understand what should be prioritized.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PRESERVE?
COOPER: I feel like I have gained a better understanding on how a non-profit operates, but more importantly, how valuable the non-profit work is. As well as the importance of conservancies and the work that they do.
LANE: Wildwood Harbor Preserve COOPER: Fields Preserve
COOPER: I am about to be a senior at Miami University in Ohio, where I am studying political science. I am from Cincinnati, but I spent summers coming up to Walloon Lake my entire life and am a sixth generational Wallooner. This lake means a lot to me and I came across the job posting for the internship this summer, and I thought it aligned with my major and interest well. I applied for it, and it has been a really great experience having the chance to work for the lake that is really dear to me.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT? LANE: The Boater Safety Event was awesome! To be able to get out on the water and help teach kids water skiing was a very rewarding experience. Lane Whitcomb and Cooper Motley, WLAC Summer 2021 seasonal stewardship interns.
