Brittaney Dyer
University of North GeorgiaBrittaney Dyer demonstrates a clear commitment to improving her community through a focus on environmental sustainability. Brittaney currently works with several environmental groups including Hiawassee River Watershed Coalition to ensure water quality and preserve the environmental resources that sustain the waterways in the Appalachian Mountains. She serves as a Certified Trained Facilitator for Georgia Save the Hemlocks, where she educates residents about tree care and loss mitigation. Finally, Brittaney has returned her energy to the community through her leadership on the Lumpkin County Hemlock Fest. In addition to her service in the community, Brittaney is actively seeking root causes to sustain hemlocks in North Georgia through her work with UNG's Predatory Beetle Lab. Brittaney is also a leader on campus, serving as the Student Rep/Initiation officer for Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and President of the Omicron Delta Kappa Honor society. Through the latter, she is collaborating with an external sponsor to implement single stream recycle bins. Brittaney will graduate this May, but she will return her enthusiasm and leadership to our campus as a graduate student pursing a degree in Criminal Justice. Brittaney's dedication and leadership will ensure our beautiful natural environment remains intact.
Personal Statement
I became passionate about water quality issues faced in Georgia's watershed when the Department of Natural Resources couldn't say why two fish kills occurred in the creek on my property.
In October 2015, I became certified by Hiawassee River Watershed Coalition in chemical and bacterial testing to collect water samples and maintain baseline dissolved oxygen, PH, conductivity, and E. coli bacteria data for waterways in the North Georgia region. I participate in Rivers Alive to clean up local rivers, maintain the quality of our water supply, and encourage others to become proactive in their preservation. A certified and trained facilitator with Georgia Save the Hemlocks, I educate others on the hemlock woolly adelgid beetles killing hemlock trees that safeguard waterways in the Appalachians. On the University of North Georgia Campus, I volunteer at the Beetle Lab and have planted hemlock samplings for the predatory beetles. I'm currently collaborating on a sustainable recycling project for the UNG Dahlonega campus to reduce landfill trash and water contamination.
Everyone should realize our natural resources are being exhausted, get involved, and learn about the importance of shielding our defenseless natural resources. Without volunteers, our natural resources will be depleted for future generations.