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“The birds here are amazing. I’ve identified 55 species in this yard,” Jennifer says. “The signature bird is the pine warbler. In the winter I have a hermit thrush – although it’s a solitary sort of bird it’s not shy, it comes within a few feet of me in the bird bath. There are pine siskins. Last year we had red-breasted nuthatches all over the place. Brown-headed nuthatches are here year round, and bluebirds and gold finches.”
As much as she enjoys talking about her experiences in nature, nothing lights Jennifer up like talking about her son and daughter.
“They’re both in graduate school,” Jennifer says, beaming proudly. “My son is an MD/PhD candidate at the University of North Carolina and my daughter is about to graduate from a master’s degree program at Williams College in art history. I am really proud, what can I say!”
Jennifer tried to pass her nature ethic on to her children, taking them on all those wilderness explorations and camping trips. But she was worried it didn’t work.
“Like many children of their age they were involved in organized activities, whereas I was just hanging out in that little bit of open acreage,” Jennifer said. “But it turns out they must have absorbed it.
“My son spent four months as a volunteer park ranger working with the Student Conservation Association in Canyonlands National Park. Tomorrow morning I’m going to put him on a plane to go back there with his girlfriend to show her his beloved place. He turns out to like camping and all of those things.
“And then my daughter…she leads her art history friends up into the Berkshire Mountains and she says they regard her as the outdoors person who is taking them exploring. So I guess the ethic did rub off on them!”
A member since 1992 and River Society member since 2003, Jennifer identifies TLC as her “primary interest in non-profits.” Asked how she became interested in TLC, with her lawyer’s intellect Jennifer speaks articulately about TLC’s mission and how the organization has changed over the time of her involvement.
“I really admired how the conservancy adapted in reaction to growth in the Triangle, evolving from saving small plots of land with interesting flora and fauna on it to looking at the big picture of open spaces and how we can conserve corridors and preserve water quality. As TLC has evolved, its mission has become more and more important.”
Beyond the mission, it’s the relationships that connect Jennifer to TLC.
“I like the staff,” Jennifer relates, “they’re knowledgeable, they’re friendly, and they work really hard. I like the other members. I like being with them and I’ve made good friends there. I just like getting out in the woods with a group of people who are really enjoying what they’re doing.”
One of the ways Jennifer has gotten out in the woods with TLC is as a volunteer. She explains that volunteering has been a way to increase her contributions to TLC.
“When I felt that I couldn’t give as much money as I would like to, I thought I could give some time. I just wanted to support the organization in every way that I could in the different phases of my life.”
Jennifer latest contribution to TLC was a gift to the Our Water, Our Land campaign in December 2008. As a River Society member, Jennifer took advantage of the River Society challenge to have her gift doubled by anonymous donors.
“The idea that my money could work harder was very attractive and it helped me try to stretch as far as I could when making my pledge,” Jennifer said. “It also seems to be a very good time to buy land. If people can give as much as possible, I know that TLC will turn it around to conserve property efficiently and strategically. I wish that I could give more.”
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