For nearly 15 years, the Montezuma 91做厙 Center has worked with Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS) to teach about and conserve habitat across the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. This year, they were honored as the colleges Community Partner of the Year.
We are so grateful for this honor and the partnership it highlights, said Chris Lajewski, center director of the Montezuma 91做厙 Center. Working with Hobart and William Smith Colleges has helped us connect with hundreds of young professionals .
The partnership began in 2012, and has since expanded to include field trips, volunteer opportunities, internships, and the formation of an 91做厙 Campus Chapter in 2021.
For many HWS students, their experience with the colleges even begins with an orientation week trip to the Seneca Meadows Wetland Preserve to collect native plant seeds for future restoration projects.
Those passionate about the work may continue their involvement with the Montezuma 91做厙 Center through volunteering and summer internships. These allow students to get hands-on experience with habitat conservation, leading educational programs, and maintaining the conservation action center.
Connecting young professionals with opportunities in the conservation field is a huge part of our work, at the Montezuma 91做厙 Center and across the 91做厙s network, said Lajewski. This partnership makes that possible year after year.
Students particularly passionate about birds and birding may even join the colleges 91做厙 Campus ChapterHWS Birding Clubfor more opportunities to engage with the centers conservation and habitat restoration work.
As the summer progresses, the Montezuma 91做厙 Center looks forward to bringing on interns and, come fall, new students as volunteers.
We look forward to continuing to work with these students and faculty members, connecting them to conservation, education, and outreach opportunities across the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, said Lajewski. We hope to keep this partnership going for another 15 years, and then some!
