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Max Garfinkle Successfully Interns at Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary
Max Garfinkle, a junior at Haldane High School, has successfully completed his eightweek internship at the Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary. This unique opportunity is made possibly annually through financial support provided by both the Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary (supported by the Putnam Highlands Audubon local chapter of the Audubon Society) and the Philipstown Masonic Lodge #236. The Philipstown Garden Club arranges and coordinates this experience.
Max is passionate about being out in nature. Before the PGC arranged for him to work at Constitution Marsh, he had already been a familiar figure there and knew the staff so well, he referred to them by their first names!
Having had so many exciting "adventures" this summer, Max had a hard time sorting out his favorites. He loved working with the children who lived in New York City and were staying at nearby summer camps. During their day trips to Constitution Marsh, Max delighted them with the waterfall at Indian Brook and a canoe ride on the Hudson River. Another favorite, a favorite of all the interns every year, is the annual bird banding project, part of a federal protocol program intended to track the movement, patterns, and breeding habitats of birds. He was awarded the honor of banding a cardinal who took offense with what Max was doing, gave him a particularly hard time, and, by the time Max sent him free with his brand new band shining on his leg, Max had received many distinct pecking marks on his hands.
Another Constitution Marsh activity Max shared in was controlling fragmites, a reedlike, invasive plant. The only way to eliminate fragmites is to kill their root systems. This was accomplished by flattening the plant with boards, creating a greenhouse effect that ultimately bakes and kills the root systems.
Having enjoyed his experience at Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary, Max has his heart set on working at another organization sponsored by Philipstown Garden Club Internship Program next year.
Every year the PGC and five local environmental/horticultural organizations (Boscobel, Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary, Glynwood Center, Manitoga, and Stonecrop Gardens) offer interested up-coming juniors, seniors, and first year college students an opportunity to work outdoors and learn about our local environment and horticulture in an eight 20 hr. week summer program. The stipend is $1000 and hours are flexible. Details for applying for an internship are available every early spring. Watch for the advertisement in the PCN&R, local libraries, or look on the PGC website: www.pgcinc.org
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