AmeriCorps Featured Members - Sarah Janiga

We are pleased to feature Sarah Janiga, who joined us this summer for an impactful AmeriCorps term with the Shirley Heinze Land Trust. Here is what Sarah had to say about her service:

“It's been an honor serving as an AmeriCorps member at Shirley Heinze Land Trust. My service started this past October. I got to help recruit and train 7 other AmeriCorps members that served in a variety of capacities this summer. It's been an absolute privilege learning alongside them all, and I am grateful that I get to stay on as a staff Conservation Coordinator once my service ends this month. Thank you all for your support.”

Why did you join AmeriCorps?/How did you hear about the AmeriCorps opportunity?

I had acquaintances who had previously served in AmeriCorps and had very transformative experiences. They inspired me to take a leap back into conservation work with the position I applied for. I knew this would offer amazing professional development opportunities and a chance to make a difference in my community.

What was one impactful project, memory, or experience from your term of service?

Being able to work alongside the Shirley Heinze Land Trust Conservation Director who spearheads the Student Experiences in Conservation Program was lifechanging. As a Volunteer & Student Engagement Assistant for AmeriCorps, I got the chance to coordinate many of the components of the robust summer internship program, from assisting with recruitment efforts across the state to being at local nature preserves and partner sites with the 14 interns for Friday Field Experiences. My favorite preserve we visited was Lydick Bog outside of South Bend, because of its unique plant life and interesting glacial history. Experts in ecology, plants, and birds led us on an immersive walk through the preserves, and even onto the bog boardwalk. It was neat to see a haven for so much wildlife and experience it with others. It was especially neat to be able to do so much plant identification during the Friday Field Experiences, because AmeriCorps supported me in attaining my Indiana Accredited Horticulturist certification from the Indiana Nursery Landscape and Horticulture Association, in partnership with Purdue University. I am so grateful to bring this wealth of knowledge with me as I take my next steps in my career.

What is next for you professionally?

My Service Site, Shirley Heinze Land Trust, has offered me a fulltime position as their new Conservation Coordinator. I am thrilled to bring what I learned during my AmeriCorps Service with me into the field as I continue to expand my skills in regional conservation planning. I will be working in various capacities to support conservation programs, such as the Water Quality Monitoring Program, which I am very passionate about because of my lifelong ties to the Lake Michigan watershed. I will also be working on many projects with team members and partner organizations to advance our aligned strategic goals. I am honored to bring this service-oriented perspective with me and thankful to AmeriCorps for positively impacting my life's work.

Thank you, Sarah, for your service!