News

Volunteer Spotlight 

By Matt Butler, Environmental Projects Manager

In this issue of Currents, the Sound River staff would like to recognize the effort of a long-time volunteer and member, Robert (Bob) Hudkins.

Bob is a retired Science Teacher for the Nash-Rocky Mount Schools System where he taught Biology, Earth Science and Environmental Science for 32 years.

While at Rocky Mount High School, Bob and fellow teachers started the first Environmental Science Club that addressed school beautification and recycling and initiated conservation projects. Some of the projects involved Stewardship Volunteer efforts with the Nature Conservancy, NC State Parks, the Sierra Club, Big Sweep, and the annual River Clean-ups organized by Sound Rivers.

Bob always looked for ways to incorporate real world experiences and career learning opportunities in his classroom. The school’s Water and Environmental Awareness Curriculum included demonstrations, field experiences and water related issues and began collecting monthly water sampling data.

Bob has been an active member and volunteer of the the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation and now Sound Rivers for over 25 years. He is always counted on to not only participate in our annual river cleanups and youth kayaking programs, but to encourage greater local involvement, particularly by the area’s youth. He has helped build camping platforms on the Tar River, has participated as an advisory board member and a volunteer for 25 Pamlico-Tar Oyster Roasts.

Since his retirement, Bob has kayaked almost 600 miles with his family, Sound Rivers, the Sierra Club and the Tar River Rovers of Eastern Carolina. He has been a blessing for our staff and membership for many, many years.

What keeps him ticking? Well, in his own words, “I’ve always been an advocate of NC Environmental Issues and felt that Stewardship is only the rent we pay for the blessing of experiencing NC Water Resources.”

Thank you Bob, for all you do for Sound Rivers, youth education and environmental stewardship!