Insects, Leaves, and Moth Wings: A Nature Walk with Pitt-Greensburg’s Holly Chenoweth

Photos Above Courtesy of: Holly Chenoweth

Holly Chenoweth makes sure to take a daily nature walk in order to get away from her desk in Pitt-Greensburg’s Registrar’s Office. Chenoweth, a gifted photographer and adviser to Pitt-Greensburg’s new Environmental Club, often documents the tiny beautiful things she finds in nature. 

“Some of my favorite things to photograph are the insects, leaves, moth wings, or feathers that I find on the outside Millstein steps,” Chenoweth says. “I also take a lot of pics of mushrooms.”

The Insider sent reporter Locklin Newman along with Chenoweth on one of her recent hikes. 

***

LN: Our walk began just outside of Millstein Library, where Holly’s office is located. One of the first things I noticed about Holly is her ability to notice little things a lot of people would miss. She stopped to notice plants that had edible fruits and other ingestibles, and to observe an ant carrying a tiny stick. 

Holly’s love of natural science seems to know no limits. As we walked, I had the chance to ask her some questions about nature, the Environmental Club, and her photography. 

LN: What made you start taking these walks? 

HC: “I work in an office, so getting out is necessary. I graduated from Pitt-Greensburg in 2009 with a degree in natural sciences, but most of my work here is indoors now. I always try to take little 10-minute breaks. I advise people to get away from their desk and take a break to enjoy the outdoors.”

LN: How many times a day are you able to get outdoors on campus?                            HC: “I try to step away from my computer and take a short walk a couple times a day even if it’s just for a few minutes. Sometimes I take off my shoes and walk around in the grass in my bare feet for a little grounding, which helps me to reset, and I feel so much better coming back to my work.”

LN: How did you develop your love for nature?                                                                HC: “When I first applied to Pitt-Greensburg as a junior in high school, my major was going to be information technology. As soon as I arrived on campus, I immediately knew that major was not for me. I gravitated towards the natural sciences classes. After Pitt got rid of information technology as a major, I switched to ecology. 

“One of my favorite classes was Water Quality due to the hands-on exposure, which developed my love of being outdoors. Eventually I realized I could develop a career in this field. Over time, Dr. Tim Savisky, who taught all the environmental ecology classes in 1998, had the Pennsylvania Game Commission come out to campus for internships. I took my opportunity. That is where my true love of the outdoors and natural sciences really bloomed, as the game commission enabled me to have numerous hands-on opportunities in nature.” 

LN: The Environmental Club seems like a small club with a big purpose–to educate students on the beauty of nature. How did you become the adviser to The Environmental Club? 

HC: “A student reached out and asked me to be the advisor of the club. (They) said I was recommended by some professors who were aware of my passion for the outdoors. I love sharing what I know–from foraging mushrooms to identifying plants. It’s a great club. I love getting involved with the students and having genuine interactions with them. I’m usually a behind-the-scenes person, so it’s awesome to share what we have on campus, nature-wise.”

LN: What is your favorite plant on campus to visit and analyze? 

HC: “All of them!”

LN: What is your favorite thing in nature to share with students?
HC: “One of my favorite nature things to share with folks is the Osage Orange tree near the parking lot. We all pass by it, and if you didn’t know what to look for you would never take notice the green fruit (nicknamed “monkey balls”) that grow on it this time of the year. They are very fitting this time of the year since they look like a creepy green brain. But they have a nice citrusy scent!” 

LN: What message would you want to share with Pitt-Greensburg when it comes to nature and photography?
HC: “I just want the campus community to learn to look around. Look down at the ground. You’ll find something lovely, especially this time of year. Look up. Fall is great for colorful leaves. Take a pic and share the beauty on social media!”