Volunteer Spotlight
CMLC is lucky to have many dedicated volunteers that contribute to making our work successful. From volunteers who come in every week, to those who come in when special projects arise, to those who participate regularly on one of our many committees.Rick Merrill- Yellow Lady Slipper Award
CMLC would like to recognize Rick Merrill for his outstanding volunteer efforts with this organization! Rick currently serves as CMLC’s Vice President, Acting Treasurer, chair of the Finance Committee, and member of the Executive, Land Protection and Nominating Committees. He has also taken the lead role in planning for CMLC’s new facility at Ironwood Square. We are grateful for his time, hard work and dedication to CMLC and our mission.
Rick came to WNC as a Vista volunteer after leaving engineering at Cornell University and fell in love with the .jpg)
natural beauty and friendly atmosphere of the mountains. He has worked here as developer and business owner for almost 40 years. Rick enjoys hiking, gardening, and traveling. He and wife JoAnne live on a horse farm in Flat Rock, much of which is under conservation easement with CMLC. When asked about his work with CMLC Rick had this to say:
natural beauty and friendly atmosphere of the mountains. He has worked here as developer and business owner for almost 40 years. Rick enjoys hiking, gardening, and traveling. He and wife JoAnne live on a horse farm in Flat Rock, much of which is under conservation easement with CMLC. When asked about his work with CMLC Rick had this to say:“I volunteer with CMLC to help save land and open spaces for the future. I love the outdoors and appreciate nature in all her wild beautiful glory. My career is acreage and residential real estate. Saving land uses many of the same skill sets that work with marketing real estate. The pay with CMLC is the satisfaction. I am associated with the most professional real estate marketing organization in WNC so it makes sense to associate with the most professional land trust in WNC. It is an honor to serve.”
Thank you for your time and efforts Rick Merrill! It is volunteer visionaries like you who have brought success and esteem to CMLC. We look forward to your continued commitment to this organization.
In every newsletter, we recognize a volunteer for their contributions to CMLC. Below are our most recent recognitions.
Meredith Keever
Meredith Keever began volunteering with CMLC in June 2006; she jumped in right away helping the event committee plan the 2006 Conservation Celebration at the Kellogg Center. In 6 months in 2007, beginning in the spring when she agreed to chair the 2007 event committee in putting together the 7th annual Conservation Celebration at Chimney Rock State Park, Meredith contributed more than 100 hours and drove more than 500 miles, all to make sure that the 2007 event was a big success. She met weekly at the office and every other week with the committee, plus worked several days a week from her home. Two of the most unique items in this year's auction, the lunch with Andie MacDowell and the spectacular painting by Scott Upton, are due directly to Meredith's diligence and imagination.
Says Meredith, "My energy for this organization is boundless, and I encourage others to help make a difference in all of our lives by joining the growing forces of CMLC as a volunteer - what a great way to give back to the land we love!"We are sincerely grateful for Meredith's dedication to CMLC, and for her success in putting together a wonderful Conservation Celebration.
Local Hendersonville Teens
Local Hendersonville teens have been making a huge impact on CMLC in past. Thanks to our increased listings online and in the papers, more of our region's youth have been learning about volunteer opportunities at CMLC. We appreciate each of these students contributing their time and skills to CMLC!
Ben Jones is a graduate of Hendersonville High School. Ben came to CMLC as a high school intern, working here this winter and spring while getting school credit. For over 9 weeks, Ben came in every afternoon, creating numerous flyers and brochures, and getting out thank you letters to our membership-thanks, Ben!
Donald Alphonse Fischer graduated from Hendersonville High School. Al has been using his graphic design skills for CMLC, updating our easement manual and designing a workshop brochure and the Conservation Celebration invitation. Al was awarded the Dennis Honnold Environmental Scholarship from ECO, which he will use at Evergreen State College in Washington. Good luck, Al!
Liz Smith is a rising junior at Hendersonville High School. As a youngster, Liz's conservation ethic flourished as a camper at Green River Preserve (GRP). When not volunteering with CMLC, Liz is also working as a counselor at GRP. Liz has been busy creating posters and display boards and helping out with other office tasks; we're glad you're part of our conservation community, Liz!
Taylor Courier, a graduate of East Hendersonville High School was an exceptional student and an amazing volunteer. Taylor has been active in distributing our newsletter throughout Hendersonville, as well as initiating a system to keep track of its distribution, making regional conservation accessible to the wider community. Taylor was recently honored with a research award from the Navy for a laser beam that transmits sound. Keep up the award-winning work, Taylor!
As you can see CMLC has been lucky to have such talented volunteers helping us out. Thank you Ben, Al, Liz and Taylor!
Doreen Blue
CMLC honors and thanks Doreen, who joined CMLC in 2005 and is already playing a significant role in CMLC projects.
After Lewis Creek flooded in 2006, Doreen volunteered to wipe clean each of the 500 small saplings of the accumulated silt. Tom Fanslow recalls, "[I]t certainly was not a job for anyone. It took diligence and an incredible amount of patience, both of which Doreen has." Doreen is also a regular member of our hike committee.
Chet Parent
Since 2002, Chet Parent has been a regular volunteer recycler for CMLC's office. Every other Thursday, Chet visits the CMLC office to pick up our paper and other recyclables. Chet has always claimed to know how busy the office has been based on how many bags he carries out. A dedicated recycler, Chet has two other stops along his way to the recycling center: Mainstay and the Dispute Settlement Center.
Thanks for your help, Chet! You certainly help us live up to our mission of saving our region's natural heritage. With the help of Chet and more than 100 other CMLC volunteers, CMLC protects our local land and water resources.
