Max Howes is an AmeriCorps Project Conserve member serving an 11-month term with Conserving Carolina’s southeast (Polk County) office.

Max is from Chapel Hill, N.C. and his love of the state spans “from the ocean to the glorious Appalachian Mountains.” Max graduated from Denison University with a major in environmental studies and a minor in geosciences.

During his year of service in Polk County, Max will be applying his skills toward reducing the impact of non-native and invasive plant species on public protected lands which will lead to the restoration of native habitat.

Max hopes to develop a relationship with many community members and generate an overall better awareness by the public of the effects of non-native and invasive species on our ecosystem and why it is important to our native environment to eradicate them.

Look for volunteer opportunities to engage with Max and learn more about what you can do to preserve your Polk County.

– submitted by Pam Torlina