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2025 Summer Seasonal Stewards

In early August 2025, our Summer Seasonal Stewards, Maddy Parr and Cass Steininger, concluded their summer season interning with NICHES. Over 3.5 months, their efforts supported a range of projects including invasive species removal, site inspections, summer camp, and the transition into our stewardship facility space. 

"Getting the opportunity to be a part of the stewardship staff with NICHES this summer has been an amazing experience in which I was able to strengthen many of my field skills and form lasting connections. This position equipped me for future land management and allowed me to understand and experience the importance of the relationships with the surrounding community ranging from youth to hunters and neighbors of properties under your management. I have a passion for working with kids and helping inspire their love for the outdoors which is why getting to be a counselor for NICHES nature camp was a highlight of my summer. This experience has made me feel more prepared and excited to be continuing in the world of conservation following my time here."

- Maddy Parr

NICHES 2025 Summer Seasonal Steward

 

"My summer with NICHES Land Trust has deeply impacted me. Through this position, I have had the pleasure of doing hands on work with the stewardship team. I have learned endless amounts of knowledge about plants, animals, the environment, and how they all interact together to form NICHES properties. Maintaining the different nature preserves and seeing their beauty firsthand helped to further ignite my passion for protecting our land for both wildlife and people to enjoy. It was extremely rewarding for me to come back to properties after we removed invasives species and see how much they improved! Helping lead the summer camp was also wonderful. The children’s excitement and curiosity about nature encouraged me to believe that our future generations will continue to care for our environment and strive to make it better. One of my favorite things about this summer was seeing eastern box turtles on our properties and watching one lay six eggs! It was a once in a lifetime experience through a once and a lifetime job. Thank you so much to all of NICHES staff and partners for making my summer one I will never forget. I plan to continue to follow NICHES values in my career and everyday life."

- Cass Steininger

NICHES 2025 Summer Seasonal Steward