WOODSTOCK — Since 1988, the Friends of the North Fork has been the voice of the Shenandoah River. Continuing to expand on its mission, the local nonprofit has added three new staff members — Laura Bennett, Gael Shaffer and Cindy Frenzel. The staff changes come at a pivotal time in the nonprofit's narrative, said Bennett, the executive director.
"There's been a separation: the normal people that had been talking at the Brew House or Moose, participating and then those who don’t even know what the Friends does,” Bennett said. “And then there are those who have always been here, have always lived here. This organization has existed their entire lives.
So, trying to figure out how we reconnect with everyone – that’s what we’re here for.” Founded on the premise of keeping the North Fork of the Shenandoah River clean, healthy and beautiful through advocacy, community action, education and science, the private nonprofit engages volunteers for river cleanups, monitoring and special events. “We’re trying to establish ourselves as something more definite – what are we good at,” Bennett said.
“And that’s education. Educating our community on the river – whether it’s working with our schools and our science departments or camps, or how we need to reengage the other organizations during various times of the year.” While they answer to a board of directors, Bennett, Shaffer and Frenzel are honing in on what makes the nonprofit tick.
For Shaffer, it starts with youth. The former Loudoun County school teacher has spent her first summer standing in the North Fork of the river teaching summer camps – something Bennett wasn’t sure they could pull off. “We’re getting back on our feet,” Shaffer said.
“We’re finding out what people are asking, what they need to know and how to keep safe.” Shaffer, who used to be on the board of directors, said she’s once again filled with enthusiasm. “For me, the reason I love this so much is everything had pretty much halted and we’re having to rebuild,” said Shaffer, who acknowledged there was a lapse in Friends staff before she was hired on.
Many of the staff ended up moving forward, she said, to institutions that play pivotal roles in the area's watersheds and beyond. “When you’re a teacher in the schools, you don’t get to decide what you want to teach. Here, in a position where I can be creative and have ideas, it's a special thing.
” Dubbing themselves the “Imagineers,” Shaffer said that’s what it's like when she, Bennett, and Frenzel sit around the conference table and hash out their plans. Learning through play, Shaffer hopes the next generation will be future stewards of the river and ecosystem. “A lot of people come here and ask us questions,” said Frenzel, a past employee who returned to share responsibilities with Shaffer.
“We provide scientific information for folks; updated, correct information,” she said. “And we work with the towns. We’re working with Woodstock to find a way to remind people that there are water restrictions in place, why we have them, and why is it important for each person to do it.
” The nonprofit also works in partnership with Seven Bends State Park, serving as the community support organization for the recreation site. “We’ve been involved with river cleanups, water testing, and working with other river partners,” said Shaffer, who noted the basis for everything is science. “You can’t do an education program without it being built on science and accurate information,” she said.
“The science aspect is really important to me because it provides information for everybody to know what’s wrong with the river.” It’s been a learning experience for the three women. Shaffer said they’re taking all of their strengths and seeing how they can continue to use them, and most importantly, what the organization's future looks like.
Hoping to return to local schools, Shaffer and Frenzel have big plans for students. But it takes time and patience, something Shaffer knowingly doesn’t have. “I’m just excited,” she said gleefully.
“We had a whole year without being in the classroom, helping science teachers. We’re having to recreate it and pick up successful programs while coming up with new programs.” Not only does the Friends group help students, it also helps educate the public.
As the “voice of the river,” staff members work with citizens and coalitions at the local, state, and federal levels championing increased river access for the public, funding for farming, and strong stormwater rules. Looking at her notes, Bennett said they still have a way to go. “We haven’t completely solidified it at this point,” she explained.
“But we know we have several areas of focus that need to happen.” One of those is grant writing and funding. “The financial security to make sure that we are operational today, that’s one of the big parts,” Bennett said, noting that outreach and reconnection with their members is just as important.
“Understanding how that needs to look and how we’re going to do that successfully,” she added. Another focus is a continued push on the science of the river. “Integrating previous programs we had, like water monitoring and seeing what's going on with the labs,” Bennett said.
“Having information, being up to date, asking the questions of our county, or our partners, towns, because, again, the towns and the counties run very differently and independently. Having that information, understanding it, and being ready to answer the questions, whether it's the phone call, infographics on our website, or social media posts. We need to be able to speak to all those types.
” There’s a passion and commitment shared among Bennett, Shaffer, and Frenzel for the river and the earth's ecosystem. “We had a great question from our strategic planner leader,” said Bennett. "What happens to the community if there’s no river – I find that’s not only something that we all need to say to ourselves but it’s a great conversation piece.
” The North Fork of the Shenandoah River is the primary water source for Broadway, Middletown, Strasburg, Winchester, and Woodstock. Bennett, who grew up with the Friends Group, admitted she’s raring to once again serve her community. “I’m here to make sure the organization is here,” she said.
“I’m here fighting the fights that need to be done. I’m promoting and cheering on all these pieces that make sure that this organization is here for community – present and future.” Online: fnfsr.
org.
