On Thursday afternoon, several CARP (Columbia Aquatic Restoration Project) volunteers stopped by the Gentry Building to bid farewell to Daniel Gibbins, Horticulturalist with Columbia Parks & Recreation. Daniel was the primary staff person who worked with CARP and it's 39 participating volunteers during the last two years.
Daniel is leaving Columbia to take a job with the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Cedar Rapids was hit hard by the floods this last summer and Daniel will be helping them with green space and new parks.
The volunteers who worked with Daniel on projects in our parks enjoyed his sparkling personality and the great faith he had in their work. Just about every project was a big one - with hundreds of plants to install and lots of work to be done. I think volunteers appreciated those challenges and stepped up! He also set high standards for the work and made sure it got done correctly. I think that sends a message to the volunteers that what they do is so very important and makes a lasting impact for years to come.
CARP is going to continue with the next class planned for March 2, 9 and 16 with Brett O'Brien providing the leadership until the new Horticulturalist is in place.
Goodbye, Daniel! Thanks for your work with Columbia volunteers and good luck in Iowa!
Leigh Britt
