Todd Kelley

Describe your volunteer activities at HCT:
I have led a variety of interpretive walks including Birding at Bank Street Bogs Nature Preserve, History of the Monomoyick Homeland at D. Isabel Smith Monomoy River Conservation Lands, Winter Ecology at Coy’s Brook Woodlands, Forest Succession at Thompson’s Field, Coastal Ecology at Red River Beach, and Animal Tracking at Island Pond and Bell’s Neck Conservation Areas. At many of these properties I have led several different thematic programs as well as presenting speaking programs at the Harwich Community Center.

How long have you volunteered?
I am not sure, six, maybe seven years.

What do you like most about it, memorable moments?
There have been many wonderful experiences like the natural surprises along the trail, but I think the greatest reward is seeing the joy and enthusiasm in people’s eyes when they make a deeper connection to the natural world in which we all live.

What’s special about Harwich? 
Cape Cod is my ancestral homeland as I am a 12th generation native son. The convictions that this land have bred in me are at the very root of what I do today.

What else do you like to do for fun or other activities or volunteering?
I have been the Park Interpreter at Nickerson State Park for six seasons and I have my own company called Kelley Trailblazer, which is, among many things, your personalized trail guide leader for custom day hikes exploring the natural history of Cape Cod.

I am currently a Trustee with the Chatham Conservation Foundation and have led an interpretive walk for them as well as several other walks for Orleans Conservation Trust. For many years I have been a walk leader for Cape Cod Pathways Walking Weekends and Cape Walk.  I have previously volunteered for the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History (six years).  I also used to lead hikes for the Appalachian Mountain Club Cape Hikes.