Clear into the Future




	IMPORTANCE OF THE RIVER History of the River History of Hagley The River's Uses About the Estuary The Impact of the River on Commerce THE WORKING RIVER Interview with the People Working on the River History of Delaware Ports Delaware River Cargo Map of Delaware River Ports How Do Ports Function THE LIVING RIVER The Species in and Around the River Challenges Facing our Estuary Community About the Clean Water Act National Estuary Programs How Can I Help Delaware Costal Conditions About Watersheds

Interview the People Working on the River

Dawn Webb
Manager of DuPont Nature Center
Trainer/Educator 3

Q. What does the term “working river” mean to you?
A. It is a river working both for people as well as animals, for example the red knots. It works for a balanced group of people and animals

Q. What inspired you to pursue your job?
A. She has always had a focus on wildlife. Dawn was born on a dairy farm in Delaware and has been around wildlife all her life.

Q. Job Description:
A. She conducts conservation education and creates public awareness about her organization’s efforts. She is considered a Trainer/Educator 3. She focuses on public outreach and goes to schools to teach kids about wild animals. Her program has her traveling statewide to schools and centers. She is has been a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator for years, which means she acts as a foster mother to orphaned wild animals. This is actually what led her to her job at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Q. If you were to give advice to someone who might pursue your job, what would it be?
A. Start out by volunteering to get a real taste of the work you might be doing. This is the best way to find out which direction you will eventually want to go in. Also, take the time to learn about the estuary so you can help protect it.

Q. What type of education would someone in your position need?
A. Delaware Shorebird Project, as well as many other organizations, hold training programs to teach volunteers about the estuary and the type of work they will be getting involved in. These, along with workshops at the DuPont Nature Center, are a good start for background education.

Q. Who/What does your work benefit?
A. First and foremost, the natural resource. Through Dawn’s rehab work, she educates the public about the natural resource, which in turn helps all of the animals and wildlife.

Q. Describe your working conditions.
A. Very broad – she does not sit at a desk all day. It varies from doing wildlife rehabilitation, to educating children in schools and centers, to hosting workshops, etc.

Q. What is the best part of your job?
A. That one’s easy – the view! They call the view from the deck at the Nature Center the “million dollar view” because it is so beautiful and calming.

Q. If you could wave a magic wand, what could people do to help preserve the estuary community and the area in which you work every day?
A. Give the animals space. Today we are developing land for residential and commercial purposes and as a result we are destroying wildlife habitats. The run-offs from construction are pouring onto the land and into the river and harming the animals. If she had a magic wand, she would make sure the animals still had their space to live.

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