Volunteer Spotlight - Elise Anderson

Without the support of our volunteers, such as Elise Anderson, PEA could not exist. In fact, there are currently no paid staff members running PEA. The Piedmont Earth Day Fair, quarterly Environmental Exchanges, The PEA Pod newsletter, and the PEA website are all run by dedicated volunteers.

Elise Anderson has volunteered with PEA since its inception.  She first heard about us through the Sierra Club, serving as a liaison for the first Earth Day Fair in 2006.  Since then, Elise has volunteered in just about every capacity possible.  She has helped recruit participants, posted flyers, picked up supplies and helped set up for the Fair. During the Fair she has assisted visitors with using the recycling and compost bins, run demonstrations on worm composting, assisted exhibitors, and sold water and lemonade to fairgoers.  After the fair, she helps dismantle the fair structures and clean up the grounds.  It has not been unusual to see Elise at the Fair from sunup to sundown, working the entire time. 

Elise was compelled to volunteer for PEA because PEA is one of the first local environmental groups to really serve as a magnet to attract, use, and promote the environmental talents and skills found in our local communities.  She keeps volunteering for PEA because of the people, “nice people who are a pleasure to work with and who are sincere in their commitment to serve as stewards to the natural world.”  Thanks Elise! 

Elise is a true environmentalist, going back to her school days, back to the original green era of the 70’s.  In addition to volunteering for PEA, Elise is also a member of a number of environmental organizations, including the Foothills Chapter of the Sierra Club. 

Elise has adopted a number of sustainable practices, e.g. trading in her clothes dryer for a clothesline, composting yard waste instead of sending to the landfill, and putting her money in socially responsible investments.  Elise lives in a small house, particularly by today’s standards, because that choice reduces her environmental impact more than any other single action.  Elise’s home, garden, and lifestyle choices reflect her commitment to minimizing her footprint to the greatest extent possible. Elise’s biggest environmental vices are not getting a home energy audit and flying. 

Elise celebrates Earth Day by working at the Earth Day Fair and taking great pleasure in seeing all the people, both the exhibitors and the visitors, who demonstrate their commitment to the environment just by being there.

Elise has a MS in Zoology, specializing in ecology, marine biology, behavior, and modeling. Currently she works as a data analyst for Reynolds Library at Wake Forest University, where she studies the resource consumption patterns of a primate species.  She also selects the library materials for the University’s Environmental Program. Elise shares her life with 3 dogs, 4 hermit crabs, and an extensive circle of family and friends.

Look for future Volunteer Spotlights in the PEA Pod to learn more about the people that make PEA possible.  And if you are inspired to join our growing team, let us know. E-mail Volunteer@peaNC.org or check the volunteer listings on our website.