Joining our river team last fall, Dave Burns volunteers at Potomac Conservancy’s headquarters, making a difference in the fight for clean water. Dave provides key operational support ranging from administrative tasks, to development research, to IT consulting, to Ikea table construction!

The intrinsic value of the Potomac drives Dave’s commitment to improve the health of our local lands and waters. Not one to stay inside on the weekends, Dave has fun camping, hiking, and biking around the region, finding new places to explore around the Potomac.

Needless to say, Dave has been a tremendous addition to the PC team over the last year. We are so thankful for all his hard work and are excited to share his story here!

Here's what Dave has to say about his experience helping Potomac Conservancy:

Q. How did you first find out about Potomac Conservancy?

I found out about PC by noticing a table that was set up at my local farmers market in Takoma Park, Maryland. I chatted with the volunteers about river cleanups and the scope of the Conservancy's efforts.

Q. Why did you decide to volunteer with PC?

I was finishing up my bachelor's degree and wanted to prepare myself to get back into the work force. I wanted to put my efforts towards something I believed in, so I looked online to read more about PC's goals and was happy to find that the headquarters is in Silver Spring, which is very close by.

Q. What have you been doing during your time volunteering with us?

The timing seemed to be pretty great when I checked in about volunteering, as the main offices were preparing to move from near the AFI Theater to closer to the Silver Spring Metro and I was able to help with the transition. Besides that, I've filed a lot of stuff for accounting, helped update the website and put together a table from IKEA.

Q. What do you find most rewarding to work on and why?

It's fun helping to find events that our partner organizations are putting on and sharing them on our website calendar. I've been pleasantly surprised at the amount of neat opportunities in the metro area that get people in touch with their environment.

Q. What does the Potomac and its lands mean to you?

I grew up in this area, so my earliest connections with nature were formed in and around the Potomac. Now, when I consider the Potomac and its lands, I think of drinking water, recreation and conservation.

Q. What is your favorite activity to do on the Potomac?

In the water, kayaking. On land, bicycling.

Q. Any favorite Potomac Basin spots that you consider a must-see/must-do?

One of my favorites is the Bull Run Occoquan trail in Virginia which I've accessed at Fountainhead Regional Park. It's a very woodsy hike with some decent elevation change and good views, and I highly recommend it.

http://www.nvrpa.org/park/fountainhead/content/hiking_trails

Q. If you could ask everyone to do one thing for the Potomac, what would it be?

Consider how your choices affect the Potomac. Whether it is with your vote, your dollar, your actions...or preferably all three.

Q. What would you ask next month’s volunteer spotlight?

Have you seen any interesting wildlife in or around the Potomac?