Volunteer Spotlight: Carolyn Briggs

When Carolyn Briggs moved to the lake in 2021, she began looking for meaningful volunteer opportunities that would also allow her to meet like-minded people. As a retired nurse, Carolyn has a passion for science-related hobbies, including growing herbs and keeping bees. Her interest in nature and ecology began in childhood, and she was intrigued by the challenges of living with a well and septic system—and by how those systems can affect the health of the lake. She tried her hand at growing a riparian garden, planted native species, and even constructed a bat house.

In her search for volunteer opportunities, Carolyn explored becoming a Virginia Master Naturalist. That experience ultimately led her to meet Geoff Orth, who introduced her to SLMA and the Save Our Streams program. Carolyn became a certified stream monitor.

Carolyn says, “It’s interesting and a fun way to spend a few hours in nature. It has also given me the opportunity to meet some outstanding people I would not have otherwise met.”

Carolyn also volunteers with the Creek Week program at Benjamin Franklin Middle School and is a Dock Watch volunteer.