For Immediate Release

August 2, 2007

-Summer 2007 Interns Add Vim and Vigor To Genesee Land Trust-

Three students with a desire to make the world a better place through land preservation and through volunteering are doing just that at the Genesee Land Trust this summer.

Sandra Wayman of Ontario, an environmental science and music major at Allegheny College, contacted the Trust last spring in search of ways to get involved. “I wanted an internship because I am deeply saddened by the suburban sprawl that continues to creep into rural areas. I love being outdoors and it is very important to me to protect our local environment. Also, I wanted the experience of seeing how some of the “behind the scenes” of a not-for-profit-works,” said Wayman. One of her tasks at the Trust this summer is to work on the Ganargua Creek Meadows Preserve in Macedon, putting together a management plan, under the under the guidance of the Trust’s Preserves Coordinator, Kathy Blachowski, and researching stream erosion for that area. Wayman notes, “As environmental science is my major, interning at the Genesee Land Trust gives me practical experience in the field.”

Marci Pasenello, of Mendon, a sophomore at Princeton University , began interning at the Trust in June as a result of a Princeton Club of Rochester grant and has been assigned to assist with the gathering of information about the open space plans in Greater Rochester and combining land management plans into a newly designed format. Additionally Pasenello is assisting the Genesee Land Trust team that is working in coordination with Cornell University in the creation of a Strategic Conservation Plan for Greater Rochester. “I feel very fortunate to have an opportunity to work for a smaller organization,” says Pasenello, ‘we are able to complete tasks that are truly beneficial to the Trust’s overall goals and this gives interns a genuine grasp of Genesee Land Trust’s mission.”

Will Spencer, now a senior at Hilton High School , completes the summer interning team and says that volunteering for Genesee Land Trust is “not like other places where I have volunteered.” Spencer, whose work at the Trust’s office on East Avenue includes gathering information on preserves and scanning photos as well as helping to prepare for upcoming fundraising events and myriad administrative chores, notes that he, too, has a sense of accomplishment. “I feel the work I have done here means something and will help some greater purpose or goal,” says Spencer. He adds, “ A lot of the experience I have gathered through my work here will help me as I pursue my intended major of Biometry and Statistics when I go on to college.It will be useful to me to have the experience of working to help the environment.”

Genesee Land Trust’s executive director, Gay Mills, notes that the Trust has been quite fortunate in having many talented, hardworking interns over the years from scholastic assistants to graduate students. “A not-for- profit organization relies on its volunteer core to get things done and interns bring renewed energy to all the other members, volunteers and staff,” says Mills.

Genesee Land Trust is the Rochester region’s local land trust now protecting over 2500 acres. Those interested in interning or volunteering in a variety of capacities should call the Trust at 256-2130.

-end-

Contact:

Margaret Potter, Assistant Director

Genesee Land Trust

(585) 256-2130 info@geneseelandtrust.org