On a given weekday, visitors walk into the North Carolina Estuarium and receive a warm greeting from those manning the desk on the far side of the spacious room. Should they ask about the immense sculpture made of local materials by local artist Whiting Toler, they get an education in the water cycle and the technical details of the sculpture.

But the people there every week, working regular shifts, doing the greeting, providing information and directing visitors to everything from the Estuarium’s museum to a good place to grab some lunch are not employees. They are a dedicated group of volunteers who have immense appreciation for the river, Washington’s museum and one another.

Every Friday, Betty Jarvis can be found at the desk, directing lone visitors and groups. The retired nurse anesthetist has been a volunteer since the museum opened in 1998. Jarvis said she looks forward to her shift from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday, not only for the opportunity to meet visitors to the town, for the camaraderie between the long-term volunteers and the chance to educate people about the importance of the estuary system.

“It’s an educational tool. When schoolchildren come, hopefully they get an appreciation for clean water, how valuable it is not to trash the water, whether it’s on land or sea,” Jarvis explained. “The emphasis is on the water and the creatures.”

“The volunteers are a great cross-section of people who have lived in Washington for a long time, who know its history and things of interest, and those who have retired here and bring a new skillset to the Estuarium. It’s a great combination of old and new,” said Jackie Woolard, executive director of the Partnership for the Sounds, the Estuarium’s parent organization.

Take Gray and Betty Riddick — a couple who retired to Washington from Charlotte, in search of some good destination sailing. Since 1999, the Riddicks have been greeting walk-ins at the Estuarium every Wednesday afternoon that they’re not travelling. For Betty Riddick, the volunteer time allows her the opportunity to get the word out: the estuary is important and should be protected.

“In general, a lot of people still do not understand the value of the wetlands and even the river here,” Betty Riddick said. “I just think (the Estuarium) is the crown jewel of Washington. I’ve never had anybody go through it that didn’t just love it.”

Gray Riddick volunteers at the desk along with his wife, but he also takes his volunteerism to the waters as a captain on the River Roving tours — a look at the estuary, on one of the rivers that make up its vast expanse.

“We would not have River Roving if it weren’t for our volunteer captains,” Woolard said.

In fact, Woolard has estimated how much work is done each week by the Estuarium’s volunteer force: the equivalent of work done by almost two fulltime employees.

“Financially, they are crucial,” Woolard said. “Every hour we are open we have a volunteer here to help.”

Woolard estimates the work done each week by the Estuarium’s volunteer force is the equivalent of the work that would be performed by 1¾ full-time employees.

“We really could not operate if it weren’t for the volunteers — cut and dried,” Woolard said. “Because of budget cuts, we would not be able to keep the Estuarium open the same hours.”

Losing that workforce is not likely, as evidenced by the longevity and enthusiasm of Estuarium volunteers.

“It’s just been a really good experience. I’ve learned a lot, too.” Jarvis said, adding, with a smile, that she will continue to volunteer, “as long as my health will allow me.”

Those interested in volunteering at the North Carolina Estuarium should contact Jennifer Watkins at 252-948-0000.