You probably know the Conservancy through our nature preserves like Clark, Kellys Run, and Wizard Ranch. Maybe you’ve attended our educational programs or fundraising celebrations. But less often seen is the team of motivated, passionate, and talented people who make it possible for the Conservancy to protect and restore our natural lands and provide opportunities for our community to connect with nature. That’s why we want to introduce you to some of our team members doing critical work for our natural world!
Kelly and kids examine macroinvertebrates at Climbers Run Nature Center during Lancaster Water Week (Photo by Michelle Johnsen Photography)
Kelly Slippey is the Community Event Coordinator at the Conservancy. She creates platforms for our community to engage with nature in tangible and impactful ways, stewarding large events like Lancaster Water Week and TrailFest (more information on this new event coming soon) in addition to providing administrative support for dozens of events on our preserves throughout the year.
Q: What led you to work at the Lancaster Conservancy?
A: I was raised in a family that deeply valued time outside, enjoying the many natural landscapes we have been gifted with. This led me to pursue a degree in adventure education which deepened my love for helping people connect with the environment in symbiotic partnership. After spending eight years working in experiential education, planning and leading trips for college students, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to connect members of my community with the natural world right in our backyard!
Q: What is your favorite part about your role at the Conservancy?
A: It’s amazing to be a part of a team that works tirelessly to protect the beautiful land we all call home.
Q: You were integral in the planning and execution of Lancaster Water Week. What did you think of your first Water Week experience? Is there a particular moment or aspect of the week that stands out?
A: Water Week was amazing. It was fun, dynamic, motivating, educational, and yes, a little exhausting. I loved getting to work behind the scenes to ensure all the logistics flowed smoothly. However, the best part was getting to participate in some of our partner events. I was blessed to learn more about green infrastructure on the City of Lancaster bike tour, to learn about biodiversity on a sacred habitat walk with Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake, and to witness dozens of community members volunteering to clean up the Conestoga River at the Sunnyside Peninsula. It was all incredibly empowering and motivating.
Q: What’s a favorite experience you’ve had on a Conservancy preserve?
A: Every spring I count down the days for the wildflowers to bloom at Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve. I must visit the preserve five to six times every April, bringing an assortment of friends and family with me every time to share the magic of this preserve. In the summer, I love to take my kids here to enjoy the natural air conditioning of Grubb Run.
Q: What do you want others to know about Lancaster Conservancy, conservation, nature, etc.?
A: I want others to learn to stop and notice the amazing biodiversity right here in our region! Not only are there beautiful streams, ravines, hills, forests, and riverlands to explore, but each of these ecosystems also supports so much life. Next time you walk past a stream, flip over a rock and look for a variety of macroinvertebrates, look under the leaves of mayapples to find the fruit that turtles find so tasty, listen for cavity nesting birds when you walk past an ash tree ravaged by the emerald ash bore. Nature is incredible and you don’t have to travel across the world or even across the county to find it, it’s right here in central Pennsylvania. And here is the best part, we are all a part of it! We get to explore, enjoy, and, yes, PROTECT this amazing gift.
