Meet stewardMRV Volunteer – Lani Wharton
What brought me back to the MRV and what was my original residence?
In December of 2019, I was fresh off a stint of exploring if I wanted to live in Normandy France. For various reasons, I decided not to return to France in 2020. While I could have returned to Putney, where I’d lived most recently, I decided it was my chance to return to my roots and live near my sister and brother-in-law, Camilla and Chris Behn, and to be where my son and family came to ski every winter weekend. Of course, then Covid happened, and I felt especially lucky to be living safely in a place I knew and loved.
The MRV has always been in my blood, and I consider it my home. My Dad, Sewall Williams, having built the original Ulla Lodge (now The Hideaway) decided to return to the MRV. In the late 1950s we moved from CT to Waitsfield. I grew up in the house we built in Fayston at the base of Mt. Ellen.
What do I love most about the MRV?
Decades of memories of friends and family, sports and recreation and spectacular seasonal beauty all come together in making the MRV a place I will always love.
I love the ever-changing seasons of living in the MRV as each has its beauty and special offerings of outdoor recreation. Even mud season(s) is its own form of recreation! The seasons bring back memories of friends and family adventures and gatherings. Although, I do like to get away in the winter months to someplace warmer!
Why did I join Steward MRV?
On Green Up Day 2021, Tom Spencer, stewardMRV Coordinator, stopped to talk to me as I was cleaning up by the river at Bridge Street and explained what he had in mind for stewardships. I was already volunteering for Green Up Day whenever I was in VT. I care deeply about keeping VT clean and safe for everyone to enjoy. Why not be a part of something bigger that could keep the momentum going?
What do I find most personally rewarding about being a steward?
I recently bought a bumper sticker that really spoke to me. It said, “We are all in this together”. I find that the biggest reward I receive from my work is the feeling of being in it with my community. Twice a week I make my rounds along the river and on Bridge Street, I interact with many people. Most are from the community. They are shop and restaurant owners, patrons, and residents. They stop and talk to me. They thank me for what I do even though I already feel very grateful for being able to tend to my community in a meaningful way. Visitors see me with my clean up equipment and ask questions about my role. I’m always happy to share with them the stewardMRV mission. It’s very gratifying to be able to share our vision with anyone who takes an interest.
Favorite find or incident?
I enjoy rescuing and returning cherished lost possessions to the people who are missing them. I’ve returned backpacks to kids who’ve inadvertently left their skateboards or wallets behind. For two years I have put out a Lost and Found crate in hopes of reuniting people with their forgotten items. What was not recovered, I laundered and donate it to ReSource in Williston. The items are sold there to raise funds to train people in career boosting skills.
What do I hope to see improve in the MRV?
In my opinion, teaching by example can bring about change for the health of our natural resources. For myself, I find that once I know something, I can’t un-know it. I change my habits to stay in alignment with what I’ve learned. Every year we are more keenly aware of what climate change is doing to the earth. I believe that what we do locally can and does make a difference. The more people learn how to care for the health of our rivers, streams, lakes, fields, forests, and wildlife the more they will come together in a meaningful way to protect and nurture what we cherish. I am already seeing improvements in the Valley. I have no doubt they will continue. My ultimate hope is that someday stewards won’t be needed because everyone is in it together keeping our Valley clean, healthy, and accessible.
