Meet Madeleine Gagliano, the Inaugural Andrew Reisse Natural Resource Conservation Fellow. Madeleine joined the Trust this spring through her fellowship generously supported by Robert and Dana Reisse. Madeleine primarily works with the C&O Canal Natural Resource team on rare, threatened, and endangered plant management, invasive species management, and collecting data throughout the park. Learn more about her and her work through the Q&A below!
1. What is your title at the C&O Canal Trust and how did you hear about it? When did you start working at the Trust?
I am the Andrew Reisse Natural Resource Conservation fellow here at the C&O Canal Trust. I heard about this position through my graduate advisor, Andrea Weeks, at George Mason University. She works with the C&O Canal for plant research and shared this opportunity with my lab group. I thought the role would be a great fit and applied-
and here I am today! I began working here in mid-May and will be here until my two- year contract ends in 2028.
2. Can you share about your professional background? What is your degree in and have you worked in other conservation organizations?
I am a current graduate student at GMU working towards a MS Biology degree. In the past, I’ve worked at a number of federal, local, and educational organizations that focus
on various aspects of conservation. Most of my experience has dealt with rare plant conservation, invasive species management, watershed restoration, conservation
genetics, and public outreach. It has been wonderful to have had the opportunity to see so many sides of conservation and to try to find where I best fit in.
3. How are you enjoying your fellowship so far?
My fellowship has been amazing so far! I have been able to see so much of the park and the special organisms that call it home. It has been especially great to meet and work with like-minded people from all different backgrounds who want to improve the park for all.
4. What type of work have you been doing with the park since you began your fellowship?
Since beginning my fellowship, I have been doing mostly field work. I have been helping with a variety of projects that focus on locating rare/threatened/endangered plants in the park, checking on the survival of some of these that were planted by us, and collecting the seeds from wild populations. I have also been involved in treating invasive plants throughout the Canal, identifying plants through dichotomous keys, collecting data on experimental plots in Great Falls, and doing several training courses that have helped me to become a better scientist. It has surely been a busy few weeks!
5. What do you hope to learn from this position?
I am most hoping to learn about how large-scale conservation practices are
implemented in the real world, how different habitat needs are taken into account when making land management decisions, and how to work with a variety of stakeholders to achieve a shared goal. I am also excited to learn more about working alongside the NPS in general, and what opportunities exist for me once I complete my fellowship!
6. So far, what would you say is your favorite section of the park?
All parts of the park are beautiful in their own ways, but my favorite section would definitely have to be Ferry Hill! The landscape and plant diversity on Ferry Hill are amazing, and all of the field work we have done over there so far has been very fun.
7. The park is very biodiverse with a variety of native and rare plants. Have you had an opportunity to see any of these plants? Do you have a favorite plant in the park and plant in general?
I have had the opportunity to see many of the native and rare plants found in our park almost on a daily basis! My favorite plant in the park is the bulblet fern on Ferry Hill. Just last week, we surveyed for them and it was love at first sight. In general, my favorite plant is the Virginia bluebell. I have a lot of great memories with loved ones and friends associated with bluebells, and it always warms my heart when I see them in the spring.
8. One of your hobbies is gardening. What plants do you have in your garden?
My garden is primarily filled with veggies and herbs. Every year I plant at least tomatoes, peppers, basil, and an assortment of whatever catches my eye. This year, I am planting sage and luffa for the first time. We’ll see if the deer let me enjoy them this time!