A year ago, I packed up my life in North-Central Florida and moved to Baldwin County to start working at Gulf Coast Media.

I knew I'd be writing about growth and the environment. What I didn't know was just how much Baldwin County would teach me along the way. Looking back now, it's hard to believe that first year is already behind me.

The past 12 months have gone by much faster than I expected, and I have this job to thank for that.

Journalism is a peculiar profession. I can't think of many other careers that require you to become part of a community in order to tell its stories well. Reporting isn't just about attending meetings or asking questions; it's about learning what matters to the people who live here, understanding why it matters and building the relationships that make those conversations possible.

Being from South Florida, caring about the environment has always been second nature. It wasn't something I had to seek out because it surrounded me every day. The beaches, mangroves and wetlands had always been my playing grounds. Then, while attending school in North-Central Florida, I developed an even greater appreciation for the diversity of Southern landscapes. I came to appreciate places like freshwater springs, pine forests and open prairies, each with its own story to tell.

So when I came across the job listing at Gulf Coast Media, it felt like the perfect fit. I would still be in the South, still writing about the landscapes and ecosystems I cared about, but I'd have the opportunity to learn about a completely different part of the region.

That place turned out to be Baldwin County.

Moving to Alabama came with plenty of new experiences, and this job has allowed me to immerse myself in many of them. While my beat focuses on the environment and growth, I've quickly learned that in Baldwin County those aren't separate topics. In fact, they're mostly inseparable.

You really can't talk about growth here without talking about the environment.

As one of the fastest-growing counties in Alabama, Baldwin County is constantly balancing development with protecting the natural resources that make it such a desirable place to live. I've found that almost every story eventually comes back to that balance.

Before moving here, zoning wasn't a topic I knew much about. Now, after sitting through planning commission and city council meetings across the county, I have a much better understanding of why communities choose to zone, how those decisions are made and why residents care so deeply about them.

I've also learned about things that are unique to Baldwin County.

Before moving here, I had never heard of a  jubilee. Learning about the conditions that cause fish, shrimp and crabs to crowd the shoreline and hearing lifelong residents talk about seeing jubilees over the years was one of those moments that reminded me just how unique this area really is, although I've yet to experience one myself.

Living along the Gulf Coast also means sea turtles become part of everyday life. I've had the chance to write about volunteers who spend months monitoring nests, protecting them from disturbances and helping educate beachgoers during nesting season. It's a reminder that conservation here isn't just something handled by agencies; it's something the community takes part in.

That interest in wildlife also led me to one of my favorite stories of this past year: the discovery of a prehistoric leatherback sea turtle fossil found by a local family while fishing in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. What they initially thought was just an unusual rock turned out to be part of a shell from a previously unknown species that lived roughly 33 million years ago. It was interesting to see how a discovery made by local residents could contribute to research well beyond Baldwin County.

Another story I'll always remember was covering hummingbird migration research taking place in Fort Morgan. Researchers with the Banding Coalition of the Americas used tiny transmitters to better understand how ruby-throated hummingbirds cross the Gulf during migration. Being able to tell the story of groundbreaking research happening in Baldwin County that could help answer questions scientists across the continent have had for years was an incredible honor.

However, not every environmental story has been about wildlife.

This spring, I wrote about record rainfall Baldwin County received and what those numbers meant beyond simply setting records. That led to reporting on stormwater runoff, flooding concerns and how local governments are planning for heavier rain events as the county continues to grow. It was another example of how weather, infrastructure and development all influence one another.

That's probably the biggest lesson Baldwin County has taught me this year.

Everything is connected.

Growth affects the environment, and the environment influences how communities grow. Conversations about zoning often become conversations about wetlands or stormwater. Stories about conservation often lead back to the people who live here and want to protect what makes Baldwin County special.

What has stood out to me most, though, has been the people.

I've been amazed by how involved this community is. Whether it's attending public meetings, volunteering for conservation efforts or reaching out with story ideas, people genuinely care about Baldwin County and where it's headed.

As a reporter, I appreciate that more than I can say.

From the beginning, this community has welcomed me, answered my questions and trusted me to tell its stories. Reporting is a two-way relationship; I get to tell people what's happening around the county, and in return, readers share the topics, concerns and ideas they think are important. I'm grateful that I get to do this job in a place with so many stories to tell.

Thank you for reading my reporting over the past year, for answering my calls and emails and for helping me learn more about Baldwin County every day.

Here's to year two!

Gabriella Chavez is a Report for America corps member who writes about growth and development in Baldwin County and our natural spaces for Gulf Coast Media. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today.