Hi Christina! How long have you been a Brigadier?
— I started volunteering at the end of the 2022-2023 season.
How did you hear about the CVNB?
— The great social media, Facebook specifically, put on my feed the announcement for a presentation by Sally Gale around March 2022. I don't even remember who was the organizer.
Why did you decide to become a Brigadier?
— Listening to Sally talk about this amazing project made me immediately fall in love with the idea of having a very hands on experience helping save animals. I'm an academic researcher in the environmental field, and as much as I love research, it sometimes feels light years away from having a real impact. Becoming a Brigadier, I could be part of a project where I can see short-term results, and all this while meeting amazing people with similar interests.
What's your favorite thing about walking the road?
— Love how peaceful it is. Being surrounded by nature is amazing, heals your soul. Saving newts is like meditating with a much higher purpose.
What was your most memorable night?
— Last year, when I saw the most amazing, huge red-legged frog! It gave me hope that what we are doing is having a real impact. We started by caring about newts, and in the way, we are saving an endangered species, how cool is that? The most rewarding side effect I've ever heard of.
(Photo is of Christina in her newt costume for the Petaluma Butter and Eggs Days Parade)
