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AmeriCorps member impacts new community
New Mexico native Madison Paulk faced a change when she moved to Michigan in August 2021. Less than six months later, she began impacting her new community by serving with AmeriCorps.
Paulk serves with the Michigan United Conservation Club (MUCC) where she assists with tree plantings, ground habitat restoration efforts, river clean ups and clearing of invasive species. She works with and helps lead volunteers for MUCC’s On the Ground (OTG) program. With the help of more than 3,600 volunteers, the On the Ground project has helped to improve wildlife habitats all throughout Michigan with their restoration initiatives.
“With the OTG project, I really love getting to know the people seeing how they’re passionate about the areas that they live in,” said Paulk. “I love the opportunities to work with other host sites and explore.”
Paulk found AmeriCorps to be a good match for her after graduating with a bachelor's degree in Conservation Biology from the University of New Mexico in 2021.
“It really provided me with a lot of experience in the job,” she said. “I’m really grateful for it.”
Paulk said that every week looks different when working with the Michigan United Conservation Club. She recently gave an education program to a summer camp, which she found enjoyable.
“I love the diversity of it, no week is really the same.”
“You get so much from this experience,” said Paulk. “If you wanted to try something and wasn’t given the opportunity, this is your opportunity to really explore what you want.”
After she finishes her service term, Paulk said she’s interested in going back to school and getting a master’s degree in Biology and getting a summer internship.
To learn more about the service AmeriCorps programs visit the Michigan AmeriCorps website.