‘So a lot additional than a holiday vacation space’

Darci Schofield has been picked as the new Islands director of the Trustees of Reservations, replacing Sam Hart, who stepped down very last 12 months in purchase to get a job at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional Higher College.

“Like many folks from Massachusetts, I’ve completely treasured my time vacationing on the Island. The to start with time I came right here was when I was 18,” Schofield advised The Situations by way of phone. She credits the Vineyard’s exclusive and profoundly lovely ecology as a massive driving pressure behind her heading right here to take the situation with the Trustees.

“This is so considerably a lot more than just a getaway room — this actually exceptional environment, ecologically, geologically, is very exclusive to my heart,” Schofield said. Although discovering some of the wide Trustees qualities, Schofield was taken by the ecological historical past contained right here, and proceeds to be surprised by the dedication in the community to preserving the sensitive ecosystem. 

“It’s like you are likely back in time to one thing that has been preserved without end this piece of background is below for generations to occur,” Schofield claimed. “The simple fact that I or the communities of the Island get to have a style of anything this attractive and so untouched is really quite remarkable.”

Schofield has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science with a small in geology from Boston College, and a master’s diploma in forest ecosystem science from the University of Maine. Increasing up in Massachusetts and seeing her quite little city becoming reworked swiftly into a greatly produced area jarred her into action — she realized she needed to be a element of the resolution. “Woodland spots currently being formulated into subdivisions, and sensation a loss all around that though climbing with my father in the woods, is actually what introduced me to this put and to this position in my lifetime,” Schofield reported. 

She started out out her 25-year career in ecology, preservation, and environmental science by instructing young children how to establish plants in the woods and taking them backpacking though operating for what is now known as Nature’s Classroom Experience Camp. Considering the fact that coming to the Island, Schofield stated, she has been impressed by the do the job the Island Trustees staff has been doing. She stated one particular distinctive matter about the firm on the Island is the devotion the workers has to connecting the community (both 12 months-round and readers) to the normal environment. “I believe it’s a amazing possibility to reinforce our knowledge of mother nature and improve the group creating that happens about our environment, “ Schofield reported. 

She mentioned some of the Trustees plans at institutions like the FARM Institute are illustrative of the love and fascination the Island local community has for educational and enrichment pursuits, particularly for Island youth. “I’m jealous I did not have these kinds of chances when I was raising my daughter — the truth that a lot of of these plans are marketed out is a testament to the very strong community right here, and the worth the local community spots on sustainability and the connection to the land and local meals,” Schofield claimed. 

Schofield anticipates that she will host some gatherings before long, this sort of as video updates on social media and in-person hikes to introduce herself to the community.