Volunteer Voices - Janet Law

Janet Law awaiting the launch

Meet Canaveral National Seashore Volunteer Janet Law

A North Carolina native, Janet Law moved to Titusville in 1964 when her father’s job in the space industry transferred him to the Sunshine State. She later met her husband Barry, who grew up in St. Augustine.

Get to know Janet and learn how she currently serves as a Canaveral National Seashore volunteer:

What did you do in your career?

We both had careers in the environmental field. I worked for a local utility company. Barry was an environmental engineer and his career included traveling both within the U.S. and internationally to oversee the construction and startup of water and wastewater facilities. We are both retired now and enjoy our free time.

How did you begin volunteering at Canaveral National Seashore?

Barry was working at Singer Island and I went along to enjoy some beach time. While walking on the beach, I was asked by a group of very nice people collecting what looked like ping-pong balls to help them. They explained to me that they were volunteering there to relocate sea turtle eggs from nests that had been eroded away by unusually high storm tides the previous night. They were taking the eggs to the nearby

Loggerhead Marine Life Center to be cared for. I helped them and was immediately hooked! I also saw several hatchlings. When I told Barry about my day, he was ready to get to the beach and help, too. We visited the Loggerhead Marine Life Center and knew we wanted help sea turtles locally.

How long have you been a volunteer at Canaveral National Seashore?

I have volunteered in the park for 12 years.

What types of volunteer activities have you done? 

I have volunteered in the park’s Turtle Watch program, Beach Clean Up, Bee Festival, rocket launches and with kids learning cast netting.

What has been the highlight for you in the national park?

Seeing the visitors’ same excitement and awe that we have experienced while watching a sea turtle lay her eggs and then return to the sea.

Why is it important for you to volunteer?

All of our national parks are a treasure, but having a beach with no development is such a rare and beautiful treasure. Assisting with showing visitors the beauty of the ancient ritual of a sea turtle crawling from the ocean to lay her eggs, cover them, and return to the sea is very fulfilling. It’s magical every time!