From the summer of 2024 through the summer of 2025, Malia Cafasso served as the TerraCorps Community Engagement Coordinator at the Norman Bird Sanctuary where she brought a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. During her service term, Malia worked closely with staff, volunteers, and the local community to foster meaningful connections with nature and promote environmental education through outreach programs, events, and hands-on initiatives.
What made you pursue this TerraCorps experience?
Since graduating in May 2024 from Brandeis University with a B.A. in Environmental Studies, I wanted to explore the intersection between environmental science/studies and community engagement in order to better inform my future career path, whether that be a graduate program or a full-time job. The exploratory and multi-disciplinary nature of the role really excited me.
Looking back on your service term at Norman Bird Sanctuary, what is one challenge you encountered and one accomplishment you’re especially proud of?
The biggest challenge I have been working through during my service term has been the adjustment from graduating college to having my first professional role. I have learned a lot about my personal work style and flow, as well as how to manage projects and ideas with less structure than the rigorous deadlines and syllabi of college.
I am very proud that I have pushed myself with public speaking opportunities, from leading several Wednesday Walks, to staff presentations about my projects. I am particularly proud of an event I held in February, called “Voluntines: Valentines for Volunteers,” where I organized and led an event for 15 volunteers. I have engaged with many different audiences and want to keep pushing myself to have more opportunities to improve my public speaking skills.
Has this experience been different from what you expected going in? Were there any surprises along the way?
There are aspects that have matched my initial expectations, and those that have been completely different. For example, a big obstacle that I had to overcome was the temporary defunding of AmeriCorps and the termination of TerraCorps, where I was in limbo for over a month. As a result of this unprecedented situation, my end-of-year service activities shifted a lot in comparison to what I thought I would have been doing in the last few months of my service at NBS.
A more positive example, however, is the diversity of community members that engage with nature at the Sanctuary and that I engaged with through my work. From Conservation Crew members who have retired, to current high school and college students, and NBS staff, I have had the opportunity to connect with such a diverse group of people, which is what I was hoping to do!
Malia co-leads a special Wednesday Walk.
What was one of your favorite parts about serving with TerraCorps?
In my role as Community Engagement Coordinator, I have been able to connect with such wonderful people in the Aquidneck Island Community and has been very rewarding to foster these relationships. It is always interesting to learn about someone’s personal connection with nature and why they continue to be in this space of conservation, education, etc. I love leaving a conversation with information to expand my perspectives and new ideas for engaging in the community!
