Shell SERVE volunteers at Armand Bayou Nature Center

Volunteers from the Shell Deer Park SERVE team contributed more than 300 hours to Armand Bayou Nature Center (ABNC), completing much needed repairs to its education facilities and restoring drainage around the farm museum site in September completing much needed repairs to its education facilities and restoring drainage around the farm museum site. 

The work refurbished the pole barn and grounds regularly used for environmental education and visitor programs. This project was the latest in a long history of Shell Deer Park volunteer service at ABNC and included the donation of supplies, construction materials and rental equipment. According to ABNC Donor Development Coordinator Janice Schrager, “this project saved ABNC almost $25,000 of planned contract expenses.”

The two-day project required coordinated effort by 50 Shell Deer Park volunteers with the help of Turner Industries, Shormax Inc. Shoring Co, RB Hardy & Sons, Republic Services, and United Rental, all working in the historical Martyn Farm exhibit area on a variety of tasks. Their work spanned site surveys, drainage ditch digging, culvert and pipe replacement, rebuilding several foot bridges, and trail resurfacing, along with deep cleaning and repairs to the pole barn classroom building including replacing lights lighting and fans, and resealing the floor.

SERVE project coordinator Tracie Molik reflected, “I’m glad we were able to make a few improvements for the center and for the visitors. The center is a treasure to have and it was a blessing to have helped such a worthy cause.”

Her SERVE team included:

John Cimusz, Anne Brandt, Carlos Organista, Carlos Ortiz, Chad Wilkins, Chris Morisette, Clint Ardoin, Daniel Reyes, Daren Reiter, Donald Stewart, Dottie Williams, Doug Barrett, Doug Wilson, Eric Dumatrait, Jack Marburger, Jeff Gilbert, Jennifer Clift, Jesse Grifka, Jodi Baral, Joel Livings, John Tijerina, Kenneth Johnson, Kimberly Spriggs, Kirk Miller, Lauren Moeller, Lourdes Jenkinson, Luis Mendez, Marcus Conch, Mark Clayton, Matt Sanders, Michael Cave, Michael Hoover, Michael Weida, Mike Thompson, Raymond Hedden, Rob McDermont, Rob Wegener, Roy Fletcher, Saul Zambrano, Shawn Costner, Shorty Ramirez, Steve Grimes, Sylvia Miehle, Timothy Hearne, Todd Houston, Tony Windish, Tracie Molik, Travis Twardowski, and Troy Porter.  

At the end of the day Shell employee Saul Zambrano remarked, “It was very rewarding to see what was accomplished by all the volunteers. Not only did the project allow us to do something good for the Nature Center that will last for many years, it also gave us an opportunity to get to know each other much better. I very much enjoyed the team building experience.”