Guardians of the Haw: Haw River Assembly Supporters Speak!
Nurturing a Lifelong Love for Nature: Local Environmental Educator Deb Hanson Shares Why She Supports The Haw River Assembly's Learning Celebration, Inspiring Future Generations
I grew up on a farm north of here in Orange County, so I have always been connected to the land and to nature. My grandmother taught me about the trees and wildflowers around our farm. When I went to NC State, my advisor steered me toward environmental education, and my first job after college was as a camp counselor at the National Wildlife Federation's Wildlife Camp in Hendersonville, NC. That was the beginning of my 33-year career teaching kids and adults in southwest Florida about the science, beauty, and magic of plants and animals, wetlands and forests, sun and soil and water. I then spent three years in Oregon volunteering as an Oregon Master Naturalist.
When we returned to NC to care for my parents, I knew I wanted to plug into the environmental education community and volunteered at the NC Botanical Garden for a few years before moving to Pittsboro. Living near the Haw River and appreciating its wonder and beauty prompted me to look for ways to learn more about the river and to share this resource with others. When I learned about the Haw River Assembly's Learning Celebration with 4th grade students, I signed up to volunteer last year. My first day on the river with kids was amazing. I served as a floater, going from learning station to station with the same group of students and their chaperones. One of the chaperones was a parent who told me how he remembered this field trip as a 4th grader himself. He said it changed his life, and he was clearly an advocate and supporter of the Haw River today. I knew then that this program was powerful and successful and had been for many years, and I wanted to continue to support the Learning Celebration in any way I could.
Water is what connects all life on this Earth. Rivers connects inland to the ocean. What we do to the water - to the river - we do to ourselves and everything that is connected through water. So, protecting the health and functioning of the river is essential to all of us who live on or near it, as well as to the many habitats, plants, animals, and communities along other waterways connected with the Haw. Educating students about the function of the river and inspiring them to love it is essential for the future of our community. That's why I am volunteering my time again this fall and why my husband, Keith, and I are donating funds to support the Haw River Learning Celebration this year. We appreciate the work the Haw River Assembly does each day to monitor and advocate for a healthy river and clean water. We are grateful for their persistence and commitment.
You can donate or volunteer for our Learning Celebration HERE!
