Rewarding Work

Clay Barber received his bachelor’s in recreation and park management from ECU and his master’s in sustainable tourism from the College of Business’ School of Hospitality Leadership. He currently works for the nonprofit organization, Sound Rivers. He gives us an update on what he’s been doing. It’s safe to say — or write in this case — he loves what he’s doing.

“Sound Rivers works to provide clean, accessible water for consumption, recreation, nature preservation, and agricultural use within the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River Basins. My job is to coordinate multiple grant-funded projects that improve water quality and increase opportunities for positive interaction between people and natural resources.

Currently, I’m developing the Tar-Pamlico Water Trail, which involves building kayak launches and camping platforms, managing volunteers, and marketing through social media and tarpamlicowatertrail.org. I also work in stormwater management by partnering with schools within our watersheds to assess their stormwater control measures on campus. We then construct or repair things like wetlands, rain gardens, and rainwater harvesting systems that help direct and treat stormwater, while also creating interdisciplinary teaching opportunities.

I’m also a River Guide for KneeDeep Adventures, a mobile paddle sport outfitter and guide service based in Greenville. We teach a lot of people how to paddle and create unique events and services that allow people of all skill levels and from all walks of life to get out on the water for a safe and memorable adventure. We fill a void in local ecotourism and promote the value recreation and our East NC waterways.

My instructors and my peers, and the opportunities I was given while at ECU, played crucial roles in preparing me for life, and ultimately finding a career path that I love.

It’s some of the most rewarding work I’ve ever done.”

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