Radnor Woman A 'Force Of Nature'

RADNOR, PA – Radnor resident Susan Scauzzo is a "Force of Nature." Not in the way you are likely thinking, but literally a force of nature, as she is the among the most recent graduates of the "Force of Nature" volunteer program through a Delaware County conservation non profit.

Scauzzo is now one of 167 volunteers who have given back 6,200 hours of their time to conservation efforts in the county thanks to the Media-based non profit Natural Lands Trust.

"I decided that I needed to do more than talk about how important open space is to me," Scauzzo said. "By joining Natural Lands Trust’s Force of Nature I found a way to actively help preserve and care for nature. The education I received during the comprehensive training sessions increased my awareness of the opportunities we each have to give something back to the land that gives us so much."

Scauzzo graduated from the program with 30 other environmentally-conscious folks.

The volunteer training includes learning techniques for managing invasive plants; examining the importance of native plants and habitat restoration; approaches to wildlife management and enriching natural areas for their benefit; and the inner workings of land conservation transactions.

"Volunteers have always played an important role in helping Natural Lands Trust preserve and steward the land, water, and wildlife of our region," said Molly Morrison, president of Natural Lands Trust. "Our Force of Nature program takes volunteerism to the next level and is a great opportunity for participants to receive high quality, hands-on training on caring for natural resources, while also giving something back to the environment."

The new class of graduating volunteers join seasoned veterans of the Force of Nature program as they lend their talents and new skills in a myriad of ways, such as monitoring Bluebird nest boxes, maintaining hiking trails, planting trees, and helping out at the more than 100 events Natural Lands Trust hosts annually at its nature preserves across the region.

"These Force of Nature volunteers brought a remarkable level of enthusiasm and passion to the program," Morrison said. “They have wonderfully diverse backgrounds and skills and are already making a tangible difference in our work. We could not be more grateful for the commitment they have made to Natural Lands Trust."

Founded in 1993, Natural Lands Trust is the region’s largest land conservation organization and is dedicated to protecting the forests, fields, streams, and wetlands that are essential to the sustainability of life in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey

If you are interested in becoming a "Force of Nature," you'll have to wait until September for the spring 2018 training.

Contact Director of Engagement Debbie Beer by phone at (610) 353-5587 ext. 266 or by email dbeer@natlands.org.

Visit the Natural Lands Trust volunteer webpage to learn more about the program.

Pictured above are the 2017 Force of Nature program graduates

Image via Natural Lands Trust