Volunteer Voices - Autumn Dilmore

Volunteers at Canaveral National Seashore come in all ages and with many different interests. Teenager Autumn Dilmore is eager and willing to assist with many tasks in the park and helped revamp the garden at the Apollo District’s Visitor Center earlier this year.

Here’s what Autumn has to say about volunteering in the national park:

Q: How did you begin volunteering at Canaveral National Seashore?

A: My family and I are big fans of National Parks in the U.S. After finishing my Girl Scout Silver Award as a troop, I reached out to the National Park Service to see if there were any opportunities to volunteer. The chance to work on my Gold Award as a Girl Scout with my local park was such a great opportunity. 

Q: How long have you been a volunteer?

A: For almost two years.

Q: Where are you a student? 

A: I am a student at Oviedo High School and look forward to a career involving chemistry or biotechnology, my favorite classes.

Q: What type of volunteer activities have you done?

A: I was given the chance to work on the garden at the Apollo Visitor Center. I got to learn about native plants and learned how to purchase and plant them. I also got to make an activity sheet and design signs for the garden to help both kids and adults learn about Florida native plants. 

Q: What has been the highlight for you volunteering at Canaveral National Seashore?

A: The best part for me was making the activity sheet. I have over 200 Junior Ranger badges and love being able to help educate and involve younger visitors in learning about the park and ways they can make a difference -- especially in their own backyard.

Q: Do you volunteer anywhere else?

A: I volunteer at the Marine Discovery Center and at the University of Central Florida, where we make oyster volcanos and oyster mats. Those [restoration tools] help limit shoreline erosion and encourage oyster repopulation in the intercoastal areas around Canaveral National Seashore. I also volunteer with Seminole SERV to help with clean-water activities and with the removal of invasive species around the county. 

Q: Why is it important for you to volunteer?

A: I love the people I get to meet and the idea of contributing to the places where I live, as well as to protected natural areas like Canaveral National Seashore.