Remembering Jorge: A Q&A with Karla Youngblood FP’99

We spoke with Karla Youngblood FP’99, associate vice president for facilities management, to address questions surrounding the recent passing of Jorge, the campus’s resident Pilgrim goose.

Q: Can you tell us more about Pilgrim geese and the campus ecosystem?

A: More than 300 acres of our campus comprise a rural, undeveloped landscape of lakes, streams, forests, marshes, shrub wetlands, forested wetlands and vernal pools. These habitats are home to hundreds of animal species, including beavers, otters, American eels, coyotes, several species of amphibians and around 80 species of birds. From what I understand, a Pilgrim goose has been a part of our campus community since at least the 1990s. At some point, the goose affectionately named Jorge became an unofficial mascot celebrated during various campus events. It’s worth noting that Pilgrim geese are not a wild species but a domesticated breed developed through selective breeding. They are critically endangered and have an average lifespan of 15 to 25 years, making Jorge’s presence here all the more special.

Q: Many are asking: Will Mount Holyoke introduce another Pilgrim goose to campus?

A: No, the College does not plan to reintroduce another Pilgrim goose or any other endangered, nonindigenous species to our campus. While we can’t rule out the possibility of another Pilgrim goose independently finding its way to our grounds, we won’t intentionally relocate one to campus. Jorge’s story and legacy will remain unique!

Q: You mentioned our vibrant campus ecosystem earlier — how does the College approach wildlife management, and will we be making any changes in the future?

A: The College already has several wildlife mitigation measures in place. These include visual deterrents to encourage the natural migration patterns of Canada geese, exclusion methods such as sealing gaps, devices such as one-way valves to keep bats out of our buildings and educational signage to protect turtles during nesting season. Yet there’s always room for improvement. My team and I are currently assessing our strategies to determine short-term actions we can take to mitigate the occurrence of bird collisions. Additionally, as part of the Comprehensive Campus Plan already underway, we’re looking closely at where there might be gaps in our approach to wildlife management so we can address them more strategically in the long term.

Q: How can members of the community support and contribute to these efforts?

A: I love this question because it truly reflects the spirit of Mount Holyoke. This community is remarkable in its willingness to take action when there’s a need — not every institution is like that. For those who want to offer ideas, resources or feedback, we welcome you to email us at info@mtholyoke.edu. Additionally, for those who wish to honor Jorge’s memory through financial contributions, we invite you to make a gift in Jorge’s honor to support Sustainability Initiatives or Campus Preservation and Renewal through The Mount Holyoke Fund. These funds support Mount Holyoke’s commitment to advancing the beauty and ecological health of our campus, ensuring that it remains a vibrant and welcoming environment for students, faculty, staff and wildlife.