Testimonials of FES Volunteers: Shivangi Datar 2013-14

Being part of the FES, I was aware of 14 Trees. However, I hadn't thought that I would be part of the team. A chance mention to Madhavi about my plan to quit my job earlier this year and similar mention to her by Pravin to have somebody work on back office activities for 14 Trees was what got me in touch with Pravin Bhagwat and 14 Trees. Pravin insisted on me visiting the site before starting any activities. My first visit to the site was in August 2022 along with some other FES members who were already volunteering with 14 Trees. This first visit was awe-inspiring and it helped me understand the vision that Pravin and his team have in mind. It helped me understand the overall activities at the site and what help is required on the back office front.

Since August, I have been working with Pravin and the rest of the volunteers. The discussions that take place are always aimed at furthering the vision that Pravin has for the ecological development of 14 Trees sites. There is a lot to do on multiple fronts and it is a pleasure to see motivated volunteers chipping in their time and energy in activities like biodiversity documentation, guiding visitors around the site, plotting different site areas, making plantation plans, reaching out to the government bodies and other forums and also volunteering to make delicious breakfast on some of the visits.

This project promises to be a model project in ecological restoration and I am surely excited to be part of this.

shivangi91271@gmail.com