Nancy Schilling

Who is your best friend? Most likely, he or she is someone you trust; someone who understands, supports and nurtures you; someone who makes you feel important and someone who knows your secrets. If you were a river, Nancy Schilling would be your best friend.

Although she studied art in college, Nancy didn't have any particular career goals nor was she specifically focused on rivers. "I thought that something would feel right one day," she said. Starting as a management trainee with the Courier Journal in Louisville, she later helped manage her dad's medical business in Boca Raton.

Nancy moved to the Lowcountry to help her dad open a marina (Schilling Boat House). Breaking ground in 1985, she became the construction supervisor. "It was really strange," she said. "In the South, I don't think men were used to women being in charge of projects." Making the career shift seemed like a giant leap, but in reality, was the first step toward finding her true calling.

Having grown up on Long Island, Nancy was no stranger to the water. "That's where I got into boating, fishing and appreciating the water," she said. "As a kid, being out on the water, I was always wondering about it."
Perhaps the next significant step in her quest for her calling came when she went to work for her husband, Ed Modzelewski-owner of an environmental engineering firm. "I started watching what was going on in the company," she said, explaining that developers are required to submit studies to identify the impact new projects will have on the environment. "If you have more than 10 percent of a property with impervious surface, there is going to be a decline in water quality," she added, pointing out the obvious cumulative effects of over-building.

With heavy development plans cited for the area surrounding her Okatie home, the problem became personal. "It was full blown nimbism on my part-not in my backyard!" she said. "There was passion behind what I decided to do."

In January of 2001, Nancy founded Friends of the Rivers, a grass roots organization with the express mission of protecting the quality of our water resources. Starting as a one-woman show, she brought in experts to pique public interest and eventually quit her job to work as a fulltime advocate. "By the time I did Friends of the Rivers, I was really ready for it. It was time to do what I was interested in, not to make money for someone else or fill out a time sheet," she said.

In addition to working with elected officials and local governments to help shape public policy, Friends of the Rivers (now with an active board of directors and over 200 members) provides a variety of programs aimed toward public education for both adults and children, including river clean up projects and storm water monitoring. Through the Kids in Kayaks program, the organization specifically aims to give children an early understanding and appreciation of the water and of the issues that can affect their future.

While Nancy's dedication to water quality is a big part of her contribution to our community and to the future of our waterways, she insists that it is only a small part of who she is. "People think I am this mean river person and that I don't do anything else," she said, describing her interests in travel, art and animals. Displaying photos of her pets (all rescues) and animals she is currently fostering, she reveals her softer side.

It is with integrity and compassion that she dares to make a difference. If you are a lost, lonely animal or an environmentally responsible citizen, you've got a friend. If you happen to be a large, natural stream of water, get to know Nancy Schilling-the best friend a river ever had.

To become a "friend," make a contribution or to find out what part you can play in protecting our natural resources, visit www.friendsoftherivers.com or call (843) 227-0004.


Up Close

Hometown: Long Island, NY Lowcountry resident: 23 years Family: husband, Ed; three adult children, Michael, Kristin and Amanda; and a large "furry" family: Lucky, Shadow, Twinkles, Black Kitty, Noah and Bella Describes herself as: honest, trustworthy, nurturing, and eager to learn new things In her spare time, find her: in her art shed - a private sanctuary where she paints and displays her personal collectibles. Future goal: To mentor others so that her efforts are ongoing