Sunrise at Lake Erie
The Continuing Interview
with Kim Mascarella
3 September 1997
A: I am glad we are having a chance to talk before you leave. It is too bad that you have to leave, but we all wish you good luck on your job interview. Tell the folks out there a little about what you are interviewing for before we start talking bugs.
K: I am interviewing for an environmental education coordinators position for a USDA funded environmental education program. And I am hoping to expand environmental literacy throughout the rural communities of Mahoning County, Ohio.
A: That sounds interesting. Is this for high school students?
K: K through 12, actually, and also local civic groups or community organizations that are interested in learning more about the environment.
A: So, I guess the burning question in everyone's mind is your thoughts on Old Woman Creek. What did you think as your canoed up the estuary? Did you see the eagles?
K: Over the past 48 hours I saw three eagles, two adults and one juvenile. This place is one of the best kept secrets. If more people knew about it, it wouldn't be in the remarkable condition it is in. A million thoughts went through my mind as I was rowing down there. When I would take trips along Mosquito Lake it was a rare occasion to see a great blue heron, here it is not uncommon to see seven or eight in an hour!
A: Did the natural beauty make up for the fact that we made you hover over a tray of alcohol and bugs for 10 hours straight?
K: It was worth it! It was a constant learning experience whatever activity you were doing. I felt like a sponge absorbing all this information. Plus, we learned how to play the drums!
A: How does this experience compare with traditional learning in a classroom, for example?
K: This is not some mock research project that is not going to be used. This is not some lab experiment from a curriculum guide that was designed ten years ago. This is real hands on training. Plus, everybody here was so helpful. For example Jim, if I had a simple question, he would expand on it for ten minutes - why this is a green ash or . How often do you get that one on one teaching? This is worth way more than what I pay in tuition. This should be a requirement!
A: Are you going to be back next year?
K: Most definately. I am submitting my vacation request tomorrow.
A: It has been nice to have you with us on the Ohio Bug Safari. We look forward to seeing you again and wish you lots of luck with school and your job interview. It you are available you can catch up with us in Akron and you will get to see the bogs and fens. Don't worry you won't be neck deep in mucky water the traps are all on boardwalks.
K: The mucky water was the monumental part of the whole experience. Wading around in a protected estuary is not something you get to do everyday! Even taking into consideration that no one warned me about the snapping turtles! Ha ha!
The Interview
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