Description

Date: October 14, 2025 Time: 2:00 p.m. Location: Polk County Public Libraries, Saluda Branch Speaker: Erica Shanks, Green Riverkeeper and Watershed Outreach Coordinator with MountainTrue The Green Riverkeeper will be presenting on the status of the Lower Green River after Hurricane Helene. You can expect to hear updates about the cleanup process, bank stabilization ideas and projects moving forward, volunteer opportunities, and what the future of the Green River looks like this season for recreation. You will also hear about water sampling efforts and how to get involved! Erica is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science in Spanish and Broadcast Journalism and two reputable leadership programs. She also holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. Throughout her collegiate experience, she found her passion for helping others while studying abroad in Mexico for three summers and living with amazing host families and teaching English as a Second Language at local schools and an orphanage in the Dominican Republic. After graduation, she spent time serving as an Americorps*VISTA Member in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where she fell in love with the conservation world and local food movement. For the past 10 years, Erica has worked in the agricultural field supporting new and beginning farmers, managing farmer’s markets, running her own small farm business, and advocating for the protection of farmland for future beginning farmers. She traveled to Patagonia, Chile to volunteer with Conservacion Patagonica to learn about farming practices with a heavy focus on protecting ecosystems and regenerating the land while growing food. Erica is passionate about her rescue pittie, Shug, hiking, backpacking, learning about new plants and mushrooms, anything on the water, and local food! The Saluda Library Speaker Series programs are made possible thanks to our partnership with the Polk County Public Libraries Systems. Contact Pam Torlina, pam@conservingcarolina.org, with questions or for more information.