Over the summer, trail work at the MHLC preserves really ramps up, and we rely heavily on the work of our summer land stewards. This year, we are joined by Eleanor McAden and Nuala Breen. Nuala, who recently transferred from Union College, is a rising sophmore at UAlbany studying geography. Eleanor, a rising junior at UMass Amherst, is pursuing a BS in Natural Resources Conservation. The duo has done a fantastic job, knocking out project after project, even on the hottest days of the season. Eleanor and Nuala are gaining invaluable experience in the field this summer that will help them in their current coursework as well as their future careers. If you haven't had the chance to work alongside them on the trails, here's your chance to hear their stories!

Nuala Breen

Nuala grew up on a small homestead in Clarksville, New York. Much of the property is forested, and her family has maintained a trail system for years. She said, "We used to hold workdays on our homestead where friends and neighbors would come to help us build bog boards and bridges, set up bat boxes, and replant native species throughout the forest. As these activities were a regular part of my childhood, I developed a strong connection to the natural world and a desire to continue the conservation work we began on our homestead."

Nuala went to the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance's (now Hudson Taconic Lands) youth conservation corps in high school, where she fell in love with their work to restore habitats, manage public trails, and involve the community in conservation work. She credits these experiences as paving the way to becoming a Summer Land Steward for MHLC. Nuala is grateful for the challenges and experiences the Summer Land Steward position has given her. She said, "I have spent the summer doing my favorite things: hiking beautiful trails, learning new skills, and being a part of land preservation for future generations."

Eleanor McAden

Eleanor, whose father was a Foreign Area Officer in the Army, has lived in Laos, New Zealand, Myanmar, and other places. Her parents are now in Virginia, and she is going to school in Massachusetts. Eleanor, who was lucky enough to have completed three of New Zealand's Great Walks, is now making herself at home this summer on our Capital Region's trails. She said, "New York is a state I haven't had the opportunity to get to know well, but I had heard great things about the Hudson River Valley in terms of its culture and conservation. With the surrounding pine bush habitat and the Adirondacks just a little way north, I was drawn to the area. I'm also a history minor at UMass and am interested in the rich history here that connects to early conservation efforts."  

Eleanor's concentration under Natural Resources Conservation is Forest Ecology & Conservation. She will be accredited with the Society of American Foresters after she graduates. "Getting some experience in land management was really appealing to me, and I'm already grateful for all of the practice using tools and techniques I will need for my career and for life, from drills to chainsaws."

She believes land trusts playa vital role in conserving land, especially considering how much forest/habitaton the east coast is owned by private landowners. The Summer Land Steward position has given Eleanor a "behind the scenes" look at MHLC. She said, "I was eager to get an insight into how land trusts operate. Inaddition to stewardship, I feel I have a better understanding of thefundraising and community engagement, land acquisition process, and more."

MHLC is incredibly grateful to Nuala and Eleanor for their dedication and service this summer. Their work has not only contributed to the preservation of our land but also enhanced the trails for the benefit of the entire community. We will surely miss them when the season comes to an end, but we’re glad to be a stepping stone as they build their careers in conservation!

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