Valerie Akers of Ithaca, Tompkins County, NY.

What is your volunteer role at the Finger Lakes Land Trust?  What kinds of work do you do here?

My introduction to volunteering with FLLT came when Kelly (Makosch) proposed an idea she had of launching a Story Walk in the Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve and asked if I would be the reader.  I loved the idea immediately!

Photo: Rick Lightbody

How long have you been involved as a volunteer?

Since 2013.

Why do you volunteer?

I had known Kelly for several years because both of her daughters attended my preschool, Corner of the Sky, and I was excited by the concept she had envisioned, and also the opportunity to become involved with FLLT.  I offered Kelly a collection of books I thought would suit both the adventure of stumbling upon a book in the woods, and also the environmental teachings of caring for the earth.

Photo: Rick Lightbody

For the inaugural walk in September of 2013 we chose Just A Dream by Chris Van Allsburg.  There have been three other Story Walks since then, and I look forward to being the Story Walk reader for many more!