Goodbye Nova Scotia, Hello Bemidji, Minnesota!

Today we all got up early, packed, and left our cozy fishermen shacks in Cherry Hill by 8:15am. I do believe this was the earliest that we've ever left! Although many of us did miss our "creature comforts" several times during this trip, I do admit there is a part of me that will miss doing field research.



There are many things I have learned on this trip. The main lesson I've learned is that no matter how much we think we live "globally" or environmentally friendly, there is always so much more we need to be aware of. Getting out of a daily routine allows me to really evaluate what I do each day and the decisions I make. I notice nature everyday in the rural town of Bemidji, Minnesota, but do I really notice nature? Do I really appreciate and observe all the adaptations that happen on a consistent basis? Our world is adapting constantly, long term & short term. I'll leave Nova Scotia with a new awareness and appreciation of all the fabulous and fluctuating phenomena on this beautiful land we live in. Absolutely wonderful!



Thank you so much to Drs. Christina Buesching & Chris Newman for all their knowledge, patience, and leadership during these two weeks. I know our group really was an 'entertaining' one! They'll miss us, I know it.....






Thanks again to WellsFargo for the fellowship opportunity with the Earthwatch organization. Just within our teacher group, we figured we reached out to over 2,000 people - just within our group of 10 teachers! Incredible! What a wonderful way to spread the message about personal choices and responsibility.




What a wonderful experience!
Thanks to all who read the blogs and sent emails.
Hope you learned a bit out of my trip too.

Signing off!

Kristina VanWilgen-Hammitt
Environmental Science & Biology Teacher
Bemidji High School
Bemidji, Minnesota