Bruce Bonacquist enjoys the element of surprise found within nature.
“I like to be surprised, and if you just look around you, are always going to be surprised by something,” he said. “It might be some flower, some animal scurrying past that you didn’t expect to see, or it could be people you meet along the way.”
Now, as a new volunteer at Landis Arboretum, Bruce can combine his passion for service, the outdoors, and the thrill of nature’s surprises.
While hiking at Landis this year, Bruce noticed some of the trails needed maintenance. The retiree, who previously worked as the Director of Finance for Capital Region BOCES, has volunteered with the Adirondack Mountain Club for the past 15 years. He offered his skills as a trail steward at the Arboretum and has already helped clean up blowdowns with a friend from the Northville Placid Trail.
“I’ve always loved being outdoors—hiking, fishing, hunting, canoeing,” he said. “It’s a hobby that I’ve really enjoyed.”
A chance encounter with a trail steward while hiking near his camp in Long Lake led Bruce to this role at several locations. He now volunteers at Castle Rock and the Upper and Lower Sargent Ponds. He also serves on the Town of Rotterdam Energy Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Conservation Advisory Council.
In addition to trail work, Bruce has helped at the Houseplant Swap and is ready to assist wherever needed. His passion for volunteering, he said, “just evolved.” He encourages anyone interested in volunteering to pick something they enjoy and “just start.”
“I’m really impressed by the core volunteers at the Arboretum,” Bruce said. “It all goes back to Fred and the leadership. When you have that kind of leadership, the volunteers are always positive and appreciative.”
In the photo below, Bruce Bonaquist (on right) and WIll Seyse are pictured.
