Volunteer of the Month: June Moya Kinnealey

When Moya Kinnealey enrolled in the Pennsylvania Master Naturalist program as part of the Philadelphia class of 2017, she was reconnecting with a lifelong passion.

“I had loved nature as a youngster and had collections of insects, seashells, nests, and rocks,” she shares. “With my family grown and my busy career as an occupational therapist changing, I had the opportunity and time to follow a lifelong interest.”

The program felt like a perfect fit, and it quickly became much more than just a class.

Moya recalls her training experience fondly, especially the combination of lectures and field trips that deepened her understanding of the natural world. For her student project, she conducted a detailed survey of insect life in a meadow near her home. Over the course of six weeks, she visited the site three times a week, carefully documenting temperature, weather, time of day, and insect activity.

But it wasn’t just about identifying species it was about observing behavior.

“Of particular interest to me was what the insects were doing feeding, cleaning, building shelter, and interacting,” she explains.

One moment stood out: observing what appeared to be a lactating milkweed beetle caring for her young an experience that aligned with emerging scientific discoveries at the time. It was a powerful reminder of how much there is still to learn from simply paying close attention.

Since completing the program, Moya has dedicated the majority of her volunteer service to wildlife rehabilitation. She volunteers two mornings a week at the Philadelphia Metro Wildlife Center, where she helps care for sick, injured, and orphaned animals of all kinds from songbirds and raptors to reptiles and mammals.

Spring and summer are especially busy.

“Hundreds, even thousands, of babies are brought in to be raised and released,” she says. “Baby birds need to be fed every half hour, and mammals like squirrels and raccoons are bottle-fed every four hours.”

The work is demanding, but deeply meaningful. “It is a highlight of my life,” Moya shares.

In addition to her work in wildlife rehabilitation, Moya has contributed to a wide range of projects, including leading insect walks and talks, removing invasive species, and transforming her own yard into a thriving wildlife habitat.

Reflecting on her journey, Moya describes becoming a Master Naturalist as a truly transformative experience.

“It opened new learning opportunities, adventures, and connections with fascinating people,” she says. “My world became bigger, deeper, and more awesome.”

With more than 2,200 volunteer hours and counting, Moya’s dedication and curiosity continues to make a lasting impact both on the natural world and the community around her. Thank you, Moya, for your incredible dedication and for all you do to support conservation and community across Pennsylvania!