As my final month draws to a close, I'm thrilled with the positive impact I've made in the community. So much so that I've requested a six-month extension. Wearing the big blue goose with pride, I'm committed to continuing my contributions until the projected end date. This extension reflects my dedication to fostering positive change and connecting with the community. I'm excited about the opportunity to continue making a meaningful impact, and I look forward to the upcoming months of continued service, growth, and collaboration with those around me.

Throughout my time here, I've truly enjoyed being a part of this vibrant and diverse community. From attending local events to working with various organizations, I've connected with people from all walks of life. What's been most rewarding, however, is seeing the positive impact that my contributions have had on the community.

This past month, we've been focused on archaeology week. We were able to reach different parts of the community and talk about how vital archaeology is for culture and heritage. Seeing so many people interested in learning about our community's history and archaeology's role in preserving was great.

Overall, Archaeology Month was a huge success, and I'm proud to have been a part of it. I'm excited to see what the next few months have in store.

We also have been hard at work collaborating with our local university, FGCU. Recently, we pulled invasive plants from one of our preserves, dedicated to one of our donors and volunteers, Jim Sprankle. Jim has done an enormous amount for our refuge. He has volunteered since 1997 and has made multiple donations to the refuge, from his hand-carved duck decoys to his flock of bird sculptures that bring life into our visitor and education center. The sixty-eight-acre tract was dedicated to him in 2017; although still not yet open to the public, it is maintained by the refuge. The FGCU students were tasked with removing invasive plants at this preserve, and we were able to remove 15 trash bags of invasive species.

Collaboration with the local university has been a great experience. The students were enthusiastic about the project and eager to learn more about the preserve and its history. By working together, we were able to significantly impact the preservation of the preserve's natural habitats.

As my time here continues, I'm excited about the opportunities to further connect with the community and make a lasting impact. I'm grateful for the support and collaboration of those around me and look forward to continued growth and success in the coming months. Our work here is vital, and I'm proud to be a part of it.