Volunteer Spotlight, Maureen "Mo" Mollineaux
Maureen "Mo" Mollineaux
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
Maureen “Mo” Mollineaux has a background of lifelong community service and is a major advocate for volunteering. Mo has given back to her community in Palm Beach County since she became a local in the 1950s. One of her favorite authors - Kahlil Gibran - wrote, "You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give."
MacArthur Beach State Park has been fortunate to have Mo as part of the volunteer team since 2012. She has become a seasoned volunteer pro over her time at the park. Mo serves as a docent in the nature center and as an occasional nature walk guide, speaking to visitors about the park's wildlife. She assists with plant surveys to document the seven endangered or threatened plants, and she also participates in special events.
One of Maureen’s major contributions comes from her vast knowledge of sea turtle nesting activities. As a child, she would go with her family to watch sea turtles crawl up and nest on local beaches. She arrived at MacArthur Beach State Park with years of experience gained through scouting and leading permitted night walks to observe nesting sea turtles.
At the park, Mo quickly learned data collection procedures and now participates in early morning beach nesting surveys as well. Sea turtle nesting season runs eight months of the year, so with all her other volunteer roles, Mo stays busy.
"The opportunities abound in a state park to acquire knowledge, skill and experience from biologists, botanists and ornithologists," says Mo. "There is an expert in almost every field of study who will generously share their knowledge. Because of them, I have been able to teach my grandchildren so much about the natural world that we all share. Volunteering has enriched my life beyond measure.”