Photo Credit: Mary Parker
Interview with Taylor McConnell a core volunteer with the Surfrider Foundation's Outer Banks Chapter:
What chapter do you work with and what is your leadership role?
"I work with the Outer Banks Chapter, as the current Chair."
What drew you into volunteering at the Surfrider Foundation?
"I became interested in Surfrider as a way to give back to the ocean. At the start of my time with Surfrider, I had just switched from a conservation job to a desk job. It quickly became important to me to ensure I had time to still focus on conservation efforts to some capacity."
What is your favorite Surfrider program and why?
"Adopt A Beach is my favorite program because it brings Surfrider volunteers to each public access in three towns (meaning over 90 accesses) that help keep the beaches cleaned and maintained. We hear of so many great stories from adopters about their locations and what they find. Local artists will even come to our larger cleanups and take some of the debris to turn it into art!"
Can you share a story of one of your favorite moments volunteering?
"Some of the best memories are those of the youngest, smallest kids bringing back their beach cleanup finds that are either rare or larger than they are. The smile on their faces are so big, and they do not even know just how large of an impact they have created."
Why should people volunteer with your chapter?
"People should volunteer with the Outer Banks Chapter, because in the Outer Banks the ocean, sounds and marshes surround us. Keeping the ocean clean and healthy truly is keeping our town clean and healthy."