Nature Enthusiast Shares Passion with TRS
Claire Graves was born and raised in the small town of Ackerman, MS (located in Choctaw County, which Claire says has no stoplights). In Ackerman, Claire grew up among a family of believers on her family’s farm. For as long as Claire can remember, she has had a heart for the Lord and His natural creation. It was early on in life, on her family’s farm that Claire learned to show her love and respect for the Lord by being a good steward of His creation.
This fun-loving and witty nature enthusiast has now lived in Jackson for seven years. Claire’s outgoing personality and adventurous spirit are a blessing to me and many, many others, including our six and seven year-old Sunday School students who love Ms. Claire’s high energy! Did I mention Claire loves the outdoors?!? (I myself have had some captivating outdoor experiences with her, but will not divulge them here!)
Among Claire’s many activities within the conservationist realm, this joyful friend spends time as a Pearl Riverkeeper where she helps with water quality testing and litter pick up. Claire is also a Mississippi Master Naturalist through the MSU Extension Service; and she participates in the Urban Wildlife Monitoring Project, which tracks wildlife in urban areas and provides research related to how humans and animals interact.
Claire speaking virtually to TRS students about new recycling program.
Claire not only plugs into programs she has an interest in, but she creates her own. Claire has turned the firefly, often referred to as a lightning bug, into a favorite sight to see in the Magnolia State. This lover of all and/or most things nature (-related) has fallen in love with Mississippi’s Synchronous fireflies, also known as Snappy Syncs. Now, if you’re like me I honestly never thought of more than one type of firefly, but after talking to Claire, I’ve learned there are plenty! The Snappy Syncs, which likely have their name because of their synchronized flash patterns, can flood a pitch-black night with bright camera flash-like light! When Claire first shared her love for these creatures with me it was hard for me to imagine their beauty, but they are an absolutely fascinating sight to see!
For the past couple of years, this ambitious redhead has worked with the National Park Service and the Mississippi Craft Center to organize a Snappy Sync viewing and tour along the Natchez Trace where the fireflies populate for a couple of weeks in the Spring. When thinking about the Snappy Syncs, Claire says, “They remind me that God is in control of the biggest things and the tiniest things. He is an awesome Creator.”
I am grateful that Claire’s love for God’s creation has also spread to The Redeemer’s School. Upon hearing about the school’s need for lots and lots of water bottles, Claire inquired about starting a plastic bottle recycling program for the school. In October, this venture officially kicked off. Claire shared the importance of recycling with students and provided bins set aside for recycling in each classroom. Through recycling, “I want them to take away that we are stewards of God’s beautiful creation. Recycling is just one way we can do that. The bigger idea is that when we respect God we take care of the beauty of the earth,” says Claire. Since October our school community has recycled hundreds of plastic bottles!
The Redeemer’s School family is overwhelmed by the generosity of Claire and many others who share their time, talent, and resources with TRS! Sharing one’s gifts is “‘part of being a part of the family of God,” Claire said. She goes on to say, “We have new mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters and children in the family of God and loving and supporting one another is part of being part of that family. Finding ways to love and encourage and bring our children into that family, teaching them to be part of God’s family is a special responsibility and TRS helps do that.”
Ultimately, your gifts, whether big or small, monetary or otherwise, help make a difference here and now, but most importantly your generosity makes an Eternal impact for the Kingdom of God as we share the hope of the Gospel with our students.