Looking ahead to 2024

As we enter into the new year, staff at Little Forks Conservancy reflects on what we are looking forward to in 2024. Read through our highlights and feel free to share below what you are excited about experiencing with Little Forks this upcoming year!

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Shelby Gentle, Land Conservation Specialist​

As I look ahead to 2024, I am excited to see the Nelson property develop into a nature preserve that will be enjoyed by the community. Outside of work, one of the most exciting moments of 2023 was when my husband and I bought our first home. This past fall I began working in our yard. I want to transform the area into a space that conserves nature and is more appealing to pollinators and wildlife. Little Forks has a Conservation@Home program which encourages practices that preserve and protect the environment in our yards. I am working on bringing those same types of practices into my own yard and I look forward to seeing the plants grow and the different types of wildlife that will visit our home over time.

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Central Newt, discovered while vernal pool monitoring at Riverview Natural Area

Lily Kelsey, Conservation Outreach Coordinator
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​As we enter 2024, I’ve been thinking about the new things the year will bring. I began working as the Outreach Coordinator with Little Forks this January and I am eager to see how much I will learn in this role overtime! I’m also looking forward to vernal pool monitoring our preserves again this spring. It's exciting to be part of an organization that helps to protect these important biodiverse areas!

Elan Lipschitz, Executive Director
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For 2024, Little Forks is so fortunate to have such a great team and board. I look forward to working together to engage the community in our work through volunteerism, community events, and programs at our preserves. Additionally, I can’t wait to work with DuPont this year on restoring habitat at our nature preserves.

Little Forks Conservancy staff

106-acre Nelson property, newly acquired in 2023

Benjamin VanDyke, Preserve and Volunteer Steward
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​​​As I look to 2024, I am excited for the many upcoming opportunities to protect and enhance our nature preserves. I look forward to continuing the development of our newest preserve, Nelson Woods, including blazing new trails and planting trees. I am also looking forward to meeting new friends on the trail that enjoy their time escaping to our nature preserves.