To the Editor:

I just wanted to introduce myself, as I am a new member of the Knox Conservation Advisory Council.  My name is Marla Briggs and I was previously a member of the Knox CAC in the mid-1990s.

My husband and I have lived in Knox for over 25 years. We first moved to Knox, in the early 1990s, because we fell in love with the area and all of our wonderful neighbors.

I have a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and forestry, with an emphasis on wildlife biology, from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and a master’s degree in environmental studies from Bard College, where I studied the Threatened Blandings Turtle for my thesis.

I have worked for a variety of environmental firms and agencies as an environmental planner and wetland specialist. I also worked for Audubon International as a senior ecologist.

Throughout this time, I also did contract work for the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation and The Nature Conservancy, mainly with turtles and moths, including the local Karner blue butterfly. I then worked at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County, heading up the Master Gardener program.

Since I’ve had children, I have done on and off contract work for Audubon International and the DEC, including working on the DEC’s herp (amphibians and reptiles) atlas.

I’m looking forward to once again working with the Knox CAC. Knox has given us so much and I’m glad I finally have time to give back.

Knox is a special place, both in its environmental beauty and its people. We are proud to call Knox our home and the town where we raised our children.

Marla Briggs

Knox

Editor’s note: See related story.