Ripple of Hope: Maraiah Russell

So my goal is to identify people in my world who inspire by thier consistent actions in the service of creation. They may serve by teaching, research, artistic creation, writing,  networking, or by direct service to the environment. I want to highlight those eco-warriors, those green heroes who are around us and who are models we can aspire to emulate. So please, feel free to share your nominations of local eco-warriors, gia protectors. Please help me celebrate the individuals in our communities who are our Ripple of Hope.

One of the exciting aspects of creating a Ripple of Hope column is realizing how many people in our community easily deserve to be recognized. For our first Ripple of Hope recognition I thought I would start with someone who  has impacted my work in nature in many ways. That would be the recent Preserve and Programs Manager Maraiah Russel. 

I first met Maraiah at an event of Eagle Marsh. I was planning on retiring and I thought I would like to spend some of my free time volunteering  in nature. I attended a night lecture and hike that was focused on the beaver population at the marsh. I was introduced to "the barn" but also the wetlands. That evening we learned about beavers, their history of near extinction and current restoration. We were taught to recognize the difference in beaver and muskrat lodging (neither leaves a light on for you.) But I learned much more that night. I saw Maraiah in action. I observed how well she worked with Aly Munger, the Wetland Educator. It was Aly who in fact presented the formal educational component of the evening. I saw how well she worked with the public from the young to senior citizens. I saw early how well connected she was to other agencies and individuals in the community who cared for the earth. 

It was on the hike that she told me about the Allen County Master Naturalist program. I had never heard of it but I knew it was something I needed to check out. She also told me about neighboring agencies, LC Nature Park, ACRES Land Trust, and about programs at Fox Island and local state parks. She also told me how to explore becoming a volunteer for LRWP.

My life is enriched by the direction she provided. She introduced me to the concept of citizen science. That summer I was in wadders, in the marsh, helping to trap, collect, measure, record, and release turtles. I was in marsh heaven. She introduced me to a number of the citizen science programs they participated in. That included butterfly and monarch monitoring,  bird nest montoring, building bat houses, collecting native seeds, and observing the nesting habits of a local bald eagle pair.

She introduced me to the volunteer lead presentation on becoming a trail steward. She encoruaged me to talk to Aly about becoming a field guide. I received the training to be a guide through Fox Island and that was accepted by LRWP.  

She and Aly encouraged me to participate in some of the "big" events. That included Earth Day and Eco Fest. It also included inviting me to attend the Breakfast on the Marsh Program. 

Next to intoducing me to the Master Naturalist Program the other introduction that changed the trajectory of my life happened when Maraiah, as a participant at the AMANI Refugee Day celebration introduced me to a delegate of the ACCESS Fort Wayne TV program. It was through that program that I have recorded BoM lectures as well as other green-related activities.

Maraiah is involved in the greater Northeast Indiana green  community. She works with members of Purdue Fort Wayne University Environmental Resources Center programs. She  has volunteers out in the community preparing native plants at an local brewery in a program named "Volunbeeering". I attended a conference of the Indiana Wildlife Federation and she was there. She actively promoted Mugs on the Marsh,  a once a month hike that ends with coffee at a local coffee house next to LRWP. If you are at a green event look around. Chances are high she is also there.

I do not know what Maraiah Russell's next adventure will be. She has a B. S. in Veterinary  Technology. She has worked with avian rescue and rehabilitation. She is a superb educator and a master networker. I look forward to seeing her next green transformation. Maraiah Russell is clearly a Ripple of Hope.