A retired high school art teacher, Mary Keefer Bloom has donated her time to work as a forest interpreter and artist in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Colorado. Each place she has worked she has left a mark of excellence and an interpretive legacy that continues today. Mary has volunteered 360 hours yearly for 11 seasons, contributing almost 4,000 hours. Near the beginning of her volunteer career, Mary appeared on “Good Morning America” in a 1993 story on what teachers do during the summer. More recently, Mary won NAI’s 2004 Outstanding Interpretive Volunteer Award.
Legacy magazine: What drives you to be a volunteer?
Mary Keefer Bloom: It was actually at the suggestion of a close friend who challenged me to begin to live my dream. That dream was to go to the Pacific Northwest, and somehow do artwork for the Forest Service. I would donate my art to support interpretive programs on the district. As a volunteer, the Forest Service has been able to put my artistic abilities to good use while I’ve had the opportunity and pleasure of exploring and gaining knowledge of new areas. I also love trying to communicate my enthusiasm to the many visitors who come through the visitors centers. My many years as a public school teacher make the “job” of interpreting nature, whether in the visitor center, on alternate sites, or through my artwork, feel effortless. I mean, I really feel I’m getting the better end of the deal!
Legacy: What do you think is the role of the volunteer in resource conservation?
MKB: I think it’s an opportunity definitely, for the resource, whatever it is, to expand its direction even with reduced funds, through the service of volunteers. Volunteers by their very nature are excited by what they volunteer for. Many of these folks are just looking for ways to have a positive impact on the out-of-doors through local and national organizations like the Forest Service and Park Service. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been hiking a trail, particularly when I’ve been in uniform, and another hiker will say, “You do this and you get paid?” Guests at visitor centers often ask “How can I get involved?” The enthusiasm the volunteer often brings to the resource seems to rub off on the paid seasonals as well as full-time employees. It’s like a shot of energy to everyone. So I really think it’s about finding something that you’re really passionate about, and when that door opens, you’re through it!
Legacy: What intangible benefits do you derive from volunteering?
MKB: First of all, it’s very, very flexible, which has been fantastic for me as a teacher. I am able to spend whatever time I have during my summer breaks and return to my teaching really energized and ready to go. This has always been especially intriguing to my students who are always curious about my most recent adventures. I’ll tell you, it’s catching! Plus, the Forest Service has always been grateful for any amount of energy and time I can manage and has always accommodated my crazy schedule. I love this! It’s also been great to experience new areas as an active participant rather than as a tourist. I feel as if my more in-depth involvement really contributes and makes a difference to the resource. As far as me as an artist, volunteering has allowed me to investigate new directions in my art while taking on the challenge of fulfilling the needs of the Forest Service. It certainly has expanded my definition of creativity.
Legacy: What do you do when you’re not volunteering?
MKB: Until I retired just a year ago, I was a full-time art teacher in Montgomery County, Maryland. I was fortunate to complete my teaching career at Montgomery Blair High School, the very school I student taught at in 1970. I loved teaching and once again it was sometimes hard to believe I was actually getting paid for doing something I enjoyed so much. It was really hard to leave, believe me. But I guess I always taught my students about following their passion and taking risks and they finally turned that back on me by saying, “Maybe it’s time for you to leave your comfort zone and explore your new passion.” Their support helped me change directions and adopt a new life style that is allowing me much more time in the out-of-doors while actually doing my art. I still feel the desire to teach art on occasion and am fortunate to be able to teach workshops through the wonderful gallery I’ve become part of in Girdwood, Alaska. On another note, when I am not pursuing adventures in the Pacific Northwest, I am home in Maryland and Virginia spending quality time with friends and two very cute little “grand people.” My daughter and her family live in Virginia and I look forward to my role as playmate and “nature awareness counselor” to these two little girls.
Legacy: How do you interact with the staff at your site?
MKB: That’s also one of the big attractions of my new “career.” I am finally able to be and work with people who share my enthusiasm for the outdoors. Whether on or off the clock, the folks I work with at the Begich Boggs Visitors Center in Alaska seem addicted to the out-of-doors and would rather spend their time exploring trails, identifying every plant and bit of wildlife they encounter while discussing the natural and cultural history of a place. We’ve often been in the position of cautioning friends who visit us against hiking with us unless they are ready to at least passively participate in our obsessions with nature. The seasonal staff assembled for any given season also come with a wealth of knowledge from their various backgrounds and education. It’s always very stimulating to bounce ideas for programs and presentations off of them. Meanwhile, there is always something new and stimulating to come back to each summer. The opportunity to share these new experiences with permanent, returning, or brand new staff and ultimately with a new crop of visitors is very exhilarating.
Legacy: Would you recommend volunteering to others?
MKB: I think that part of it is finding out what’s always been in the back of your mind—what you’ve always been thinking about when you’re daydreaming doing your real job and seeing how you can make that happen. This is especially true for young people who are looking for their perfect job. If they follow that lead as a volunteer, they are often taking those baby steps into getting paid for what they really love doing. I can’t even imagine at this point working and doing something that I didn’t really, really love. I loved my teaching and I love what I’m doing now. Volunteering has been such a positive part of my work experience. I do believe it’s energized me for life! This is totally win-win, don’t you think?
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