A day in the life of a volunteer at a visitor center at a wildlife refuge. (all true) Phone rings---lady says can you tell me how many birds you have there? I say, well we have a lot, are you looking for something in particular? She says....no I just wondered if it was worth visiting! Yesterday was a steady flow of visitors, all kinds of visitors, there are the serious birders who are all bundled up, with good hats, rubber boots and binoculars hanging around their neck. They usually have been here before and make a beeline run to the book where people write what they have seen while out on the refuge. I like talking to these folks to ask what they have seen and where, and we share information. I often learn something from them. There are the families that come in, looking for a day out of the house, and are curious as to what is here. They are surprised to know we have so many displays to look at with many interactive and great for kids. I love looking for the little ones to come in so I can give them a free activity book. I love talking to the families, it warms my heart to see such togetherness, Mom, Dad and kids all having a good time. And there are the photographers. Usually they are the early birds out on the refuge at sunrise, shoot till about 10 or 11 and then stop in the visitor center. Many are carrying their cameras around there neck, and they love to talk to you, sometimes they show us their prized shots and sometimes need help in identifying birds. We are thrilled to help in any way we can. A man was in yesterday with a ball cap on that said 18% Gray You will get that only if you are into photography. He liked that we got it and we had fun talking with him. There are the visitors that come from far away places. Most were visiting in the area over the holidays, and stopped by to see some wildlife. We had a couple from Nambia visit, (a country in Africia) and they were just amazed at everything, even the mallard ducks! It was fascinating talking to them, and they so enjoyed their visit here they told me. I knew I would enjoy volunteering in the visitor center, but I had no idea how rewarding it is. We had several people stop in get their maps, we would give directions, tell them where to look for eagles and such, and they they would stop back in just to say thanks to us! I was busy with some other people when the door opened and I saw a guest that was in earlier desperate to see an eagle, I looked up and saw him, he just grinned ear to ear and gave me a thumbs up signal. I smiled and waved and said I was so happy for him! Now is that rewarding or what?!
Posted on: Sat, 03 Jan 2015 19:00:36 +0000
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