My Davidson | A Student Blog Protecting What Matters: Reflections from a Summer at DLC

Discover how Tyler McKnight ’27 spent his summer interning with the Davidson Lands Conservancy, combining his environmental science studies with hands-on conservation work, community outreach and GIS mapping in Davidson, North Carolina.

Imagine stepping outside, and there being no trees in sight. As you pan around, there’s nowhere to get fresh air. Nowhere to play. Just concrete and houses lined up. You walk for miles and there’s no natural life to admire. You search for somewhere to cool off, but there’s no shade and no water to dip your toes in. You look for a sweet treat, but there’s no place for you to go berry picking. This encapsulates a not-so-distant future, and it is what conservancies like Davidson Lands Conservancy (DLC) are fighting.

DLC does just what its name says: it conserves land. This is done through contracts called conservation easements which are an agreement that grants DLC the development rights of a property forever. DLC is then responsible for managing and protecting these properties. We have to keep up with conditions and the activity on the property. On top of this, DLC is also responsible for promoting and managing  trees around the town of Davidson. Oftentimes this is mass tree-planting at parks or removing dead trees around town. DLC also hosts events to educate town residents on how to connect with and care for nature. Overall, work with the DLC is very relational and requires being very engaged with individual people of the Davidson community.

One of my main projects for this summer is uploading documents and data into a new software system called Landscape.  This allowed me to see how experience with ArcGIS Pro, a computer program used to make, edit, and analyze digital maps, is very helpful. I also learned  just how much time and energy go into completing a conservation easement. . Additionally, I attended Board and Town meetings with DLC for a property that we’re looking to close on, and this has shown me how many constituents are involved in this work. Each agreement depends on input from  a lot of different people and parties, and they all have different priorities, requirements, and timelines.

My internship has taught me a lot about myself. Contrary to what I thought when I started, I could see myself working in the nonprofit world. I think I may even want to start my own nonprofit. I also learned that I enjoyed building the relationships that make this work possible, and I would prefer this for whatever career I choose. I would recommend that future interns really just take an interest in the people you meet. Learn about the motives and experiences of people you work with, and the people you’re working to serve.

I really would like to encourage anyone to donate or volunteer with Davidson Lands Conservancy because the organization truly seeks to serve people who care for their community. DLC empowers people to protect their environment and preserve the natural value that Davidson holds.