TREC Foundation Volunteer Spotlight: Joan Galli
Joan Galli has been volunteering in the gift shop at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center since the opening of the building in 2006. While the name of the store and the organization managing the store has changed, what hasn't changed is Joan's commitment to helping invest dollars back into nature and Presque Isle State Park.
Joan has spent a lifetime studying and protecting nature, first through her career as a non-game wildlife biologist in Minnesota and in retirement as an avid volunteer for several bird-related efforts. She and her husband, John Tautin, participate in the annual Christmas bird count with their local Audubon society, they are observers for the PA Game Commission's five-year effort for an updated edition of the PA Breeding Bird Atlas, and they are monitors for the U.S. Geological Survey's Breeding Bird Survey.
When the Tom Ridge Environmental Center opened, Joan had recently moved to Crawford County to enjoy retirement with her husband in his hometown. He had retired from his position as Chief of Bird Banding Lab for the U.S. Geological Services, and she had retired from her career as a biologist in Minnesota. As his retirement gig, John was joining the Purple Martin Conservation Association as Executive Director. Joan figured that since John was driving to Erie every day, she'd come along a couple times a week and volunteer in the gift shop. Joan shares, "I had never worked in retail before so I thought it would be an interesting volunteer opportunity and a chance to support environmental education, nature and investment in the Park in a different way."
John has long-since retired again, but Joan has continued as a volunteer, still coming every Tuesday. Joan reflected, "Even though John is no longer working in the building, I still make the drive every week to volunteer. It's my day in Erie to do errands and activities. Plus, I enjoy being part of the TREC building, meeting people who are visiting from all over, sharing what I know of the building and the Park and helping to make a difference for nature through the Foundation's investment in the park, education, science, and conservation."
Thank you, Joan, for your incredible record of service, volunteerism, and commitment to nature.
If you're interested in volunteer opportunities with the TREC Foundation, contact Anthony Perino, Director of Programs, at 814-835-1384 or aperino@trecf.org. Your time and efforts can support our mission of education, science, and investment in the TREC complex and Presque Isle State Park.