The Lula Lake Land Trust's first AmeriCorps Vista, Holley Roberts, will be replaced by Jules DeFriese.
Officials said, "Holley has been instrumental in launching our educational programming, getting our pollinator garden started, and participating in Adopt-a-Stream water quality testing. Under her tenure, she has hosted over 400 school age children from preschool through high school from Walker County and Chattanooga area schools."
Ms. DeFriese grew up in Chattanooga and moved to California in her mid 20's to work with youth in recreation in the private sector. In 2004, she adopted a sibling group of four from California foster care (Moises, 21, Gissella, 17, Victor, 15 and Lupe, 14).
"It's hard to beat California weather and it's outdoor opportunities, but I wanted my children to have a childhood similar to mine," she said. "Chattanooga, with all of its natural beauty, family and friends, called us back."
She has a B.S. in Exercise, Health and Leisure Studies from UTC, and is finishing her Masters of Public Administration at California Baptist University and will graduate in December 2017.
Her favorite outdoor activities including kayaking and hiking and she is eager to start learning whitewater kayaking.
"Lula Lake is obviously a beautiful and unique place to spend my next year, but it is also a privilege to work with such passionate and knowledgeable people while contributing to a meaningful mission and vision," she said.