Hello my name is…

WHO: Hi! I’m Sara Ann, and I am the 2011-2012 Avian AmeriCorps Member at the Alaska SeaLife Center. In 2009, I graduated magna cum laude from LUC with a BS in Biology: Ecology and a minor in Biostatistics. I am now pursuing a career in wildlife conservation/care and environmental education. My dream job is to be director of my own Nature Center or curator of a Children's Zoo. I love alternative forms of transportation and did not get my license until I was 22. I love being creative and fabricating things out of cardboard, pipe cleaners, wood, pvc, etc. So next time you have a craft project or need a birdhouse, call me. I also like volunteering and am up for pretty much anything in the name of a good cause. My favorite game is Scattergories, but no one will ever play it with me (they don’t know what they’re missing). Also, I love Halloween because haunted houses are so much fun. Although I've lived most of my life in Chicago, I'm also part Floridian. Generally in life, my hope is that I will make a difference in the world and be happy.

WHAT: You may be wondering what it means to serve at the ASLC in the Avian Department. Well, for four days a week, I serve alongside the avian crew. I have been working in the Seabirds Exhibit with our permanent collection of birds. This includes completing food preparation, head counts, general cleaning, observations, medical care, feedings, training sessions, enrichment, and habitat maintenance. The exhibit is open air so dealing with the weather is challenging, but working with all of the birds is extremely rewarding. Everyday is similar but vastly different and fun. I will share more updates about what I do with the Avian Department in the future. Then one day a week, I dedicate my time to AmeriCorps and community service. Along with the other AmeriCorps members, I complete at least one service event a month like participating at the Community Halloween Carnival in October. I also perform weekly community service on this day for four hours. I have chosen the Boys and Girls Club of Seward to serve at throughout my term. We will keep you posting on our upcoming community projects too.

WHERE: I was born and raised in The Windy City where I also attended college at Loyola University Chicago. I was always interested in animals and visited Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Brookfield Zoo numerous times as a child and adult. I loved living in Chicago, but my passion for wildlife conservation has led me away from my hometown. I have lived in the Sunshine State for 11 months in Naples exploring the beaches and everglades. Now, I live in the small, remote town of Seward, Alaska in a winter wonderland. I reside in an apartment with fellow AmeriCorps member, Kira, and our two cats. Living in Seward has been an adjustment, but I’m looking forward to exploring all that Alaska has to offer.

WHEN: I arrived in Alaska on October 11^th in Anchorage and began my AmeriCorps service on the 14^th. I will be serving until September 14^th 2012.

WHY: After graduating, I had an unpaid internship in animal care at Cosley Zoo in Wheaton, IL were I assisted in all the zookeeping tasks with a wide variety of animals. After my internship ended, I headed down in Florida where I worked as an Education Conservation Associate at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. I cared for fish, reptiles, amphibians, and birds in the permanent education collection and delivered a wide variety of educational programs including a summer camp. I also volunteered with the Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic and the Naples Zoo. I wanted to continue working in the animal care and education field especially with birds if possible because I have always been interested in birds and bird watching. Working at the ASLC with the avian department seemed like a perfect fit for my interests, goals, and skill set. AmeriCorps seemed like a great step towards my goals as well. I was excited to travel to a new area of the country, continue to gain valuable career and life skills, and receive a stipend and education award. Also, I have always been involved with community service and truly enjoy volunteering, so being part of a national service corps greatly appealed to me.

I hope that gives you a little background of who I am, what I do, and why I’m part of AmeriCorps. I will keep you posted on how my AmeriCorps experience progresses, what new adventures I go on, and all the great tales of my service. Later Gators!    

Mote Marine Lab- Sarasota, FL