FSA Reflections: New River Gorge – Week 1

Written by Mary Metzger

After a week of crew orientation, training, team building, and plant identification practice, our New River Gorge crew was ready to begin collecting data for the Oak Reforestation Project. An important part of productive crew teamwork is ensuring everyone learns leadership skills and carries out constructive and cooperative tasks. This week, I took on the role of journalist, which entails capturing the important moments of our work and explaining what we have recently accomplished.

Meeting new people can be intimidating. At first, I was nervous to spend so much time with complete strangers. Our NERI and SWVA crew, along with Forest Stewards Guild supervisors, spent a week at Camp Brookside. There, we learned the importance of our mission and how to interact with one another as a team and as friends. Although I have spent much time appreciating the outdoors, it never occurred to me how detailed and elaborate plant identification and forestry work is. A significantly helpful part of the orientation was our daily plant identification walks. With the use of hands-on learning, I understood what details led to the identification of a tree, such as smell, touch, and even taste. With the help of a supportive crew and understanding leaders, my first week’s experience went smoothly and significantly prepared me for the next couple of months.

After getting prepared for the task at hand, we were finally ready to start collecting data. Data collection consists of finding plot points throughout the forest and capturing details such as tree information, plant consistency, and ecological evolution. It really puts into perspective how concise and passionate researchers are in their work. Being surrounded by like-minded people who had positive intentions for the environment was refreshing and made the work space extremely easy to be a part of.

Spending so much time outside in the forest is remarkably calming for my spirit as well. I felt peaceful and motivated, knowing that the work I was doing would have a real impact on the world around me. Even details of witnessing how the tiniest insects and the largest trees all coexist and harmonize in life were exhilarating and reminded me of the connectivity of the Earth. There is more work to be done. Our crew is excited to continue our research and witness the memorable effects of this project.