“ April is when the males are house shopping,” Peggy explains as they check another box.“ They’ ll scope out the territory and pick a safe spot. It’ s fun to watch them make their choices.”
Kim nods.“ And every nest we record, every chick that makes it, feels like a little victory.”
Peggy and Kim have spent many dawns marking turtle nests, evenings at fundraising galas, and weekends leading community programs. From Earth Day celebration to litter sweeps and this year’ s Bobcat Bash at Mingo Point, they see participation and enthusiasm growing as more residents and visitors understand what’ s at stake.
“ It’ s a good group,” Peggy says of the Conservancy’ s Trustees.“ People don’ t get involved unless they’ re dedicated. And that dedication makes all the difference.”
For Kim, the rewards of involvement are personal as well as ecological.“ Our families are friends now,” she says.“ Peggy knows my kids, and my son helps at the Conservancy ' s gala. I know her grandchildren. These connections go deeper than meetings and patrols.”
By the end of the patrol, the morning has grown warm. A pair of bluebirds dart low across the trail, brilliant royal blue and warm red-brown. Peggy and Kim pause to watch.“ Aren’ t they just beautiful?” Peggy marvels.
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