Katia Hajduk, Land Trust Program Event & Administrative Associate
From a young age, Katia’s love for the outdoors and her passion for exploring the world were unmistakable. These twin passions guided her to Saint Michael’s College of Vermont, where she earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a minor in Economics and Philosophy. Her love for the environment was further nurtured during her year as an AmeriCorps member with the Northwest Florida Environmental Stewards program, where she developed a deep appreciation for the Choctawhatchee Bay environment. At the culmination of her AmeriCorps program year, Katia embraced a role with the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, focusing on educating students in the Grasses in Classes program and her role as volunteer coordinator for all CBA programs.
After two years, she decided to return north to be closer to friends and family. Currently residing in her hometown, Winthrop, she is excited to launch her career and is fully committed to assisting the Land Trust Program department in her new role. Her interests include swimming, hiking trails, and playing mini golf, which aligns with her professional goals of promoting outdoor activities and connecting people with nature. These activities keep her active and give her a deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world.
On land conservation: “Our disconnection from the natural environment is our greatest weakness. Our planet offers many physical, mental, and emotional benefits, many of which go unnoticed in our culture. I was fortunate to have a childhood spent outdoors, and I see how little that is practiced today. There should be a significant push for kids to be back outside and to foster positive relationships with the natural world. To ensure this, we must save and protect the natural environment, or there will be nothing left, and it will be too late to reverse the damage caused by land development.”
On the job: Katia will assist with maintaining the MCHT website and the MLTN member forum. She will also take notes at Regional Land Trust meetings and MLTN Steering Committee meetings and eventually take over planning those events. In addition to other administrative tasks, Katia will work with the LTP coordinator to plan and prepare the annual MCHT conference.