(9/15) Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve welcomed the return of longtime volunteer and member of the nature preserves legacy Anne Gageby as the new Environmental Education Manager in August.
Gagebey was born and raised in Fairfield and literally grew up surrounded by the nature of Strawberry Hill.
Alongside her family, Gageby has been volunteering at Strawberry Hill on and off her entire life, noting her grandfather started the preserve’s maple sugaring program.
"Strawberry Hill is my heart and my home," she said.
During her time growing up and around Strawberry Hill, Gageby has had a hand in trail maintenance, animal care, general cleaning around the office, answering phones/mailing newsletters, and has volunteered with various programs.
Gageby has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Mount St. Mary’s University, a master’s degree in Teaching from Mount St. Mary’s University, and a master’s degree in School Library Media from McDaniel College. Gageby is also a U.S. Army veteran.
Gageby now returns to the forefront of Strawberry Hill’s one-of-a-kind environmental program for the community as Environmental Education Manager.
Throughout her years as a school librarian and educator, Gageby always sought to incorporate environmental education and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) into her curriculum as frequently as possible. Now, Gageby considers her return to Strawberry Hill while bringing her teaching experiences, "the best of all worlds."
Strawberry Hill is also building a strong team of naturalists and looks to revive and strengthen many of the preserve’s free nature programs, which are open to the public, including full moon hikes, sensory story time, and of course the preserve’s renowned animal ambassador program.
"We are rebuilding a sense of community. This is going to be an amazing fall semester," she said.
First and foremost, Gageby is passionate about nature and education; highlighting the joy she received growing up in the community, Gageby looks forward the most to inspiring a love of community nature with a new generation of conservationists. "When passion is established at an early age, it carries you through life. I am a testament to that," she said.
Strawberry Hill was established in 1986, and with Gageby at the wheel, it surely looks to usher in a fresh collaboration of environmental stewardship.
More information about Strawberry Hill and a calendar of events can be found at strawberryhill.org.
