Volunteer Voices - Trey and Selina Loughridge

Trey and Selina Loughridge are Georgia natives who retired from careers as a U.S. Coast Guard officer and a Special Education teacher, respectively. The couple moved to Mims about three years ago. 

As lovers of nature and the beach, they were drawn to Canaveral National Seashore and Playalinda beach for its natural beauty. 

The retirees spent time exploring the flora and fauna of Canaveral National Seashore and participated in some of the interpretive programs and beach clean ups. After attending one of Canaveral’s Turtle Watch programs, they wanted to do more to help make a difference in the park. 

Trey and Selina currently are in their third year as park volunteers. They are regular participants in beach clean ups, Canaveral National Seashore public presentations and Turtle Watch events. While they enjoy all aspects of volunteering in the park, their favorite activity is the Turtle Watch program where they get to interact with park visitors of all ages. 

Another volunteer opportunity they consider a highlight is being able to educate beachgoers about the national park, the importance of the dunes and of keeping the beach pristine. They also enjoy telling park guests about the many seasonal sea turtle nests, as well as the park’s relationship with NASA and the space industry.

The Loughridges are active members in their local church, their neighborhood and at the American Legion.

If you ask them why it’s important to volunteer, they will tell you that giving time, energy and passion to something that is fragile is essential because, if cared for, special places like Canaveral National Seashore can be passed on to future generations.