August 2025 Volunteer of the Month

By Sarah Reilly

. Always stepping in to help where she can and finding ways to learn more about the preserve, we are lucky to have her as a docent in the Discovery Center!
Moving upstate from Long Island with her family in 1989, Nancy was an elementary school teacher for over 30 years. In her retirement she has found joy in travelling overseas, the peacefulness of reading a good book (typically mysteries!), and most of all loves the time she gets to spend with her grandsons when they come for a visit.
Visitor Services Specialist Wren Evans nominated Nancy as they see just how much she contributes. “I want to honor Nancy as volunteer of the month for her dedicated service as a Discovery Center docent over the past year. As a wonderful interpreter and avid information seeker, Nancy thrives at our welcome desk, providing visitors with information, orientation, and conversation. She finds a way to connect with each visitor in a unique way, tailoring the Pine Bush experience to people on an individual level. I would also like to acknowledge her dedication to understanding more about our captive turtles through learning animal handling and wish her a huge congratulations on acing her certification! I am beyond grateful to Nancy for volunteering far more than what is expected, for giving it her all every day, and for brightening my Thursday mornings”.
Having recently completed her training to work with our animal ambassador turtles, Nancy has quickly grown fond of painted turtles. This is just a small part of what docents can do, as they are frequently the first people visitors to the Preserve talk to. “The best part of volunteering is introducing the DC to new visitors”, she noted. “I love when a visitor shares with me something they saw or did. For example, one visitor shared a poem she wrote on her visit. I really enjoy when a visitor comes back in to share a picture of a Karner Blue…. It’s great to see how excited people are to find out all the Pine Bush has to offer”.

If you are interested in volunteering with us as a docent, please email volunteer@albanypinebush.org to learn more.

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