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Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary would like to
recognize the outstanding effort of the following volunteers, who have each
generously donated more than 300 hours of their time since the Olympic Coast
Discovery Center opened in 2004.
Jim Jewell
After retiring as a Technical Service Manager at a steel company in 1998, my
wife Becky and I moved
to Port Angeles. During our many prior visits to the Olympic Peninsula, we
greatly enjoyed the
Pacific Beaches. We especially liked the tide pools at Rialto Beach.
Retirement has given me the
time to get more involved with the community and the Olympic Coast Discovery
Center is a wonderful
place to volunteer. We both greatly enjoy the learning opportunities and
meeting people from all
over the world.
Becky Jewell
My husband Jim and I moved here from Indiana in 1998. It has been our
life-long goal to live in
WA. I am a former elementary school teacher and have always enjoyed teaching
children about the
ocean. Therefore, when the opportunity to volunteer in the Olympic Coast
Discovery Center
materialized, I couldn't wait to get involved.
Rose Forbes
Learning about the marine environment was my goal in becoming a OCDC volunteer.
My life as an "inlander", (Idaho, Tennessee, Pennsylvania), had changed completely
by our move to Sequim in 2000. Meeting new people and helping them understand various
marine issues has been a gratifying experience. The NOAA staff and other volunteers
are important friends in my life.
Beth Winslow
At ten, I was swimming under water in a canal. I spied my first gar fish. My
older
brother said it was likely a barracuda. We left the Louisiana sugar
plantation to return to New
Orleans where I pored over the fish identification books at the library. I was
"hooked." We had brackish
bayous, Gulf of Mexico beaches, Lake Ponchatrain, and the Mississippi River to
investigate during family fishing trips. Years later in college I signed up
for marine biology and did an internship at Point Defiance prior to graduation
in 1987 at TESC,
followed by Beach Biology walks. I found my 5th grade Canadian students
learned best with hands
on and fresh air. I worked for various schools, culture and recreation
centers from Kaslo to
Victoria, B.C., Canada.
Returning to Sequim, Washington, I joined the Audubon Society and met
Mary Sue Brancado and Barbara Blackie of NOAA. This led to trainings and
joining the COASSTies and the
volunteer staff at
Discovery Center.
Jaci Pumphrey
I was born in Hollywood and grew up in southern California. I first came to Port Angeles
in 1966, but then returned to California until I moved here permanently in 1989. I
started working as COASST volunteer in 2003. I enjoy working with OCNMS staff, the
feeling that I am giving something back to the community, and being a part of the
environmental movement. I especially enjoy helping out at community events, talking
to young people about the amazing animals that live off our coast.
Lu Lovely
I grew up in western Massachusetts and graduated from Springfield College there.
I moved to Vermont with my husband and 3 children in 1960 and lived there in dairy
farm country till 1990. We took early retirement from working for the state of
Vermont to move to Washington State, where our youngest son still lives, and to avoid
the difficult winter weather in the Northeast.
I've always been interested in any kind of nature study and was fascinated by the
opportunities to learn about marine life in the Port Angeles area. I worked at the
Feiro Marine Life Center for 13 years as a volunteer with public. I have worked at
the OCDC as a volunteer since the origin of the exhibit.
Bruce Ferguson
I was born and raised in Ballard, graduating from O'Dea High School and Seattle University.
I served in the Air Force from 1964 to 1968, then worked for Unigard Insurance Group and
the U. S. Post Office. When Gerri and I retired in 2002 we moved to Port Angels and acted
as general contractors building our new house. Upon completion of our house in January
2003 both Gerri and I started doing volunteer work. I currently volunteer at the Dry
Creek Grange, Streamkeepers and of course the Discovery Center. I am currently the Vice
President of the Dry Creek Coalition and neighborhood group determined to preserve and
restore the Dry Creek area of West Port Angeles.
Bill Bjorklund
I was born in Ballard (a Seattle district) and grew up in Poulsbo living near the beach.
I went to college at the U of W and worked a couple summers as a commercial fisherman.
I have always had an affinity for the sea - it must be a Scandinavian thing! I spent my
working years primarily in the desert regions of southern Idaho and eastern Washington,
working in the nuclear industry, and prior to retiring to Sequim. My wife Sherrill and I
have three sons and triplet grandkids.
We have a rich maritime heritage in this region and much beautiful and unspoiled coast.
It is fun to share that with visitors to the OCDC and encourage them to preserve and
protect what we must not take for granted.
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