By By JURGEN BOEREMA

Special to the Daily News
Nearly 650 students from Beaufort County schools gathered at Goose Creek State Park last week for the 24th-annual Dan Windley Environmental Field Days.
Some of the agencies involved with the event included the Beaufort Soil and Water Conservation District, Goose Creek State Park and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
Peggie Windley May explained some of her father’s involvement with the event
“He was very instrumental in laying out Goose Creek State Park. He wanted to do this event for the kids. He always was involved with Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, and had a big environmental booth. This really has grown.”
On Thursday, students attended several workshops presented by agencies’ officials. The workshops included presentations on a number of environmental topics.
Becky McRoy, education coordinator for the Beaufort County Soil and Water Conversation District, led workshops on soil and water conservation throughout Thursday.
“Your attitude is important. You are the future. What you are learning today, you can go ahead and pass on,” McRoy told students.
McRoy gave statistics on coastal water pollution and how different areas of the state contribute to this problem.
She detailed some of what she hoped students took away from the day.
“I hope they understand that is important as individuals that we all have to do our part.”
The days were structured so that a group would arrive from a school and be divided into different stations throughout the day. Each day differed so students from each participating school got a chance to visit all the stations.
McRoy has been involved with the event for five years, and she promotes other environmental programs in the schools. Before her involvement with the Beaufort Soil and Water Conversation District, she served as a teacher for 28 years in Chocowinity and Bath.
She said her work as a education coordinator helped her to regain some of the enjoyment she experienced during her teaching career.
“I miss teaching, so this is a way I can still teach,” she said.