It’s no secret that urban natural areas face various challenges. Our parks in Murfreesboro are no exception. Someone well-versed in these challenges and the collaborative effort required to address them is Murfreesboro Natural Resources Volunteer Coordinator Jo VerMulm.
Observing the intrusion of trash in the Murfree Springs Wetlands, Jo and her husband, Dave, felt compelled to shift from concerned observers to passionate volunteers.
Wildlife photos by Jo VerMulm
“It’s a really special place,” VerMulm said regarding the unique charm of Murfree Springs. “The variety of wildlife you can see there, right downtown, is remarkable.”
The wetlands have several storm drains where water—and the accompanying trash—from our city flows directly into the habitat. Although the Natural Resources team, led by Kristin Hopkins, was already working hard to reduce pollution flowing into the wetland, it remains a formidable task.
“I thought to myself, somebody ought to do something about this,” VerMulm said. “And then I realized, well, I’m somebody.”
Jo and Dave took the innovative step of creating a simple yet effective homemade trash-catching net with an extra-long extension to reach otherwise unreachable trash from the boardwalk.
VerMulm’s volunteering journey continued in a more formal manner when completing her required 40 volunteer hours for her naturalist certification with the Tennessee Naturalist Program (also led by Hopkins) at the Wilderness Station at Barfield Park.
Alongside becoming a certified naturalist, through volunteering, she also developed a passion for wildlife photography. VerMulm has captured images of much of the wildlife in all the parks in Murfreesboro and beyond. Using her photography, she is able to raise awareness in our community about the wildlife that surrounds us and what we can do to protect their habitats.
Now at the helm serving as the volunteer coordinator, she has played a pivotal role in expanding the Natural Resources team’s volunteer base. Engaging in diverse activities ranging from trailblazing and litter pick-ups to seed collecting and conducting bird surveys, volunteers from various backgrounds contribute to a collective effort that not only fosters a sense of community but also directly addresses the impact of urbanization on natural areas.
“After a litter pick-up, they’ll express their surprise about how many plastic bags and bottles they picked up, and how, in the future, they think they will try to use their reusable water bottle more,” VerMulm said. “That’s what I love. I love watching that light come on. That light may turn into an idea for a project at school or maybe it will cause them to talk to their friends and family about what they’ve experienced, or who knows, maybe they’ll even decide they want to become an engineer and build something that helps us improve our habitats and the world.”
VerMulm is currently working to solidify a volunteer handbook to make volunteering in Murfreesboro even more effective in the future.
“We want to get to know our volunteers better. If we can find out more about them and what skills they have, we can make better use of their time,” she said.
VerMulm speaks of the volunteers with a fond smile. “I love our volunteers; they make such a difference, and we appreciate them so much. We’ve got a great community here in Murfreesboro.”
Follow VerMulm’s lead and connect with the natural beauty of Murfreesboro by volunteering with Outdoor Murfreesboro and the Natural Resources Division. Your involvement in community efforts can make a meaningful impact on the environment, fostering a sense of togetherness and leaving a positive legacy in the community by helping preserve our natural treasures.
For more information on volunteering with Outdoor Murfreesboro and its Natural Resource Division, call 615-890-5333, visit murfreesborotn.gov/1937 or email jvermulm@murfreesborotn.gov .
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Top: Jo VerMulm portrait by Ashleigh Newnes
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