If there was ever a perfect matching of a volunteer and a need, Mish Ritchie’s role on CELT’s Education Committee fits it entirely.
Mish has an undergraduate degree in environmental science during which she developed ecology curriculums for schools. She then worked for the Urban Ecology Institute in Boston developing teacher trainings and taking kids on field studies ,before she moved to Maine for her doctorate (in an entirely different field – but that’s another story).
“I started off in conservation and quickly realized that the way I’m going to be most helpful is to teach kids about natural spaces. If I can show them what’s so important about these places, what’s COOL about them, what’s so FUN about them – they in turn will grow to appreciate, love, and want to care for them, too. They will have that to guide a lot of their lives.”
When it came time to start her own family. Mish and her husband chose Cape Elizabeth quite literally because there is a school that appreciates the environment, a land trust with exceptional programming, and a community that celebrates it.
She began volunteering after participating in one of our many community programs. Her per diem work gave her the flexibility to be a parent volunteer in the classroom and then to lead some of CELTs nature walks for the school and for visitors at the Inn by the Sea. She then joined the Education Committee, a role that meshes perfectly with her passion.
When long term committee member, Jill Darling joined the Board, Mish took on coordinating community programs for adults, too, like the “Big Night” program last spring, a new birding series, and tide pool explorations. She schedules program leaders, organizes the publicity, manages sign-ups, and even runs some programs. And she parents her two boys ages 10 and 7!
Mish has been a huge asset to the Education team, and her work has a profound impact that benefits both the schools and the public. Yet, it is mostly behind the scenes!
We are thrilled to be able to recognize Mish Ritchie CELT’s “Volunteer of the Year” and acknowledge that our education program would not be what it is without her.
