According to Raleigh Realty, “Recognized as a suburb of Raleigh, many families are moving to Garner for its affordability, low cost of living, small-town charm, diversity, and prime real estate. The combination of location and affordability is unbeatable, so Garner is considered one of the best places to live in North Carolina.”

And there’s something else special about Garner, N.C.: Martha Fisk, who serves as the recreation program specialist for Garner Parks. She’s all about recreation and cultural resources, and in a town rich with opportunities for both, she shines. She always has. “I was and still am the science and nature kid in my family. I have always been curious about animals and their natural habitats, and I enjoyed exploring the outdoors, reading and participating in programs. We would also attend interpretive programs at parks, museums and zoos while on family vacations.”

This is equally true of her own family now. “My husband, Michael, and I have two boys, ages 13 and 10. They are active in a variety of sports, but they also enjoy exploring the outdoors by canoe and on foot. We enjoy spending the day floating on a river, fishing and snorkeling, or hiking along a trail. Children are very observant and have excellent memories — they make great exploring buddies.”

Fisk has a heart for many other children, which is no surprise to anyone who knows her. “I enjoy working with children and being outdoors, so taking kids outside to explore nature is a joyful combination of both interests. I truly appreciate the opportunity to help children build a sense of wonder about the world around them. There is a beautiful quote by Rachel Carson, ‘If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.’ A lot of our programs also provide opportunities for families to share their curiosity and learn together, which is a great skill to develop and nourish.”

As for what kinds of programs, Fisk replied, “We do offer outreach programs at sites within our county. This can include programs at science festivals, and events at schools and parks.” She continued, “Program fees do vary, depending on the length of the program. Many of our programs require pre-registration, and fees are typically under $10 per child. Summer camp, which is one weeklong, does have a higher cost. There is no grant funding available at this time to offset costs.”

But grant funding, or lack of it, doesn’t stop Fisk and others working with her from giving every child every chance to experience the same things she loved as a child, and as a mother with her own children.

She said, “At this time, many of our park projects are with scouting groups. We do coordinate several days throughout the year for trash pickup and invasive species removal. Children are eligible to sign up as volunteers for these projects, depending on their ages and what the project is; some can be younger, some are older.”

Fisk has put her love of all things outdoors and natural to the best kind of use. “I have been an informal science educator teaching children and adults about science and nature for 23 years.” It is no small thing to open eyes, hearts and minds to something never seen before. Fisk gets to experience her students’ wonder for the first time.

She continued, “I am excited to grow my skills as a naturalist on park grounds and look forward to working with our community through programs and events. I really do want our community to feel connected and find joy in our natural areas, which are a local treasure.”

Among the many local attractions that shouldn’t be missed are Lake Benson Park, White Deer Park Nature Center and more than 250 waterfalls in Brevard, some of which were used in the films “The Last of the Mohicans” and “The Hunger Games.”

And with much written about screen time, Fisk believes that “now more than ever, communities need access to nature and the outdoors, and they need trusted individuals who can be a guide for observing and finding answers for the things they encounter. Everyone has stories to share about the animals they come across, and this is a great way for us to connect with each other in the places we live.”

The best thing about the work Fisk does is that it’s out there for everyone. “If you would like to be more involved with informal learning at science centers and nature parks, volunteer your time for events. This is a great way to become familiar with many of the aspects of this type of job (planning activities and communicating with a variety of ages and abilities). You can obtain a variety of degrees in science, education or parks and recreation to enter this field, but hands-on experience with natural science programming will be the skill that can set you apart.”

Fisk added, “Many of our current volunteer opportunities are related to natural resource management — invasive species removal and park cleanups. We also have opportunities to volunteer for educational activities such as Moth Night or First Friday Bird Walks.”

With so much experience in these areas, Fisk noted, “I am still very new in my role with the parks and nature branch of Garner Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, but I am looking forward to expanding our nature program offerings in the future. We plan our program calendar six months to one year in advance. We plan additional activities when the time allows. I did not have the chance to work together with the previous person in this role, Allison Murphy, for very long but was able to observe some of the popular series she had coordinated over the years.”

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