Gary Gilliam

High Point, NC (Guilford County)

What does he do? Gary is the Marina Manager at High Point City Lake Park. He is also the Program Manager for H.P. Parks and Recreation’s Youth Education Program.

Favorite part of earning his certification: Gary says that one of the best parts of earning his EE Certification has been meeting the great people who teach the classes and networking with the participants.

Certification experience that stands out: When Gary decided to do the homework assignment for a N.C. CATCH class, he ended up creating a Teach-A-Kid-To-Fish Day based on the activities provided at his Park. The response was overwhelming and he ended up doing two that Spring. "The smiles on the faces of the kids and their parents made all of the time, effort and expense of earning my EE Certification worthwhile." says Gary. His park now does two of these events annually and has added many more nature/environmental education programs, but the sense of accomplishment and of filling a need for young people and of seeing them learn while enjoying the outdoors has sustained Gary's efforts since that first day.

His Action Partnership: There was an area behind the Park Marina where little would grow and that had become an eyesore, so for his Action Partnership, Gary enlisted help from the local Wild Birds Unlimited, local butterfly and bird societies and Parks Maintenance to plant a beautiful and educational butterfly/hummingbird garden.

CONGRATULATIONS, GARY!