For eight years, Senta Masalskis has been leading a group of volunteers dedicated to raising money to help preserve, protect and defend 498 acres of pristine land in Dryden Township known as Seven Ponds Nature Center.

Now, the longtime Oxford resident is hoping to recruit like-minded individuals to continue the work.

Masalskis, president of the Friends of Seven Ponds, is inviting folks to attend the group’s informational meet and greet on Monday, Aug. 5 at noon. It will take place at the nature center, which is located at 3854 Crawford Rd.

Open since May 1967, Seven Ponds serves “as a sanctuary for native plants and animals, as a living classroom for environmental education and as a peaceful retreat for visitors,” according to its mission statement.

It’s named Seven Ponds because the property is home to a series of seven small glacial lakes connected by channels.

Through a multitude of programs, special events and clubs for adults and children, Seven Ponds works to “foster an understanding and appreciation of (the) natural world” and help people and communities “develop an environmental ethic.”

According to Seven Ponds Executive Director Daryl Bernard, “nearly 10,000 school-age children” benefit from the nature center’s programming every year, not to mention “countless families and individuals.”

While enjoying light refreshments and touring the nature center during the Aug. 5 event, folks will have an opportunity to learn more about the Friends of Seven Ponds and what it does.

Masalskis noted the group, formed in 1973, is nicknamed “the Stingers” because it used to be known as Women’s Auxiliary of Seven Ponds, the acronym for which was WASP.

“We’re not mean or anything like that,” she said.

Throughout the year, this band of volunteers organizes and conducts fund-raising activities – a rummage sale, bake sales and book sales – that benefit Seven Ponds.

In June, the Stingers conducted their annual rummage sale, which generated about $3,000.

“That’s a big money-maker for the nature center,” said Masalskis, who has called Oxford home since 1976.

Earlier this year, the Stingers donated $7,000 to Seven Ponds based on what the group raised in 2018. Dryden Township resident Lynn Rose, the group’s treasurer, said they’ve been making a large donation to the nature center’s general fund for the last six or so years.

“They can use it for whatever they need,” Rose said.

As a nonprofit organization, Bernard said the nature center values “every single dollar we’re able to raise” to help support its annual operating budget, which is approximately $400,000.

“We’re totally dependent upon donors, membership fees and program fees, so when a group like the Stingers, who are all volunteers, take time out of their lives to commit to Seven Ponds, it’s invaluable,” he said. “There’s no way to put a price tag on how much that means to us. The dollars are incredibly important to us and we’re able to do really good things with them. We try to stretch every dollar as far as we can.”

Seven Ponds relies heavily on volunteers because the nature center’s paid staff is small. It consists of six full-time employees, two seasonal workers, and one part-timer, according to Bernard.

Right now, Masalskis said due to aging and health issues, there only 15 active members in the Friends.

“We don’t have very many,” she said.

Ideally, Masalskis would like the Friends to have “at least 20 or 25” members.

“We just need more help so a few people aren’t doing all the work,” she said.

Members can range from teenagers to senior citizens and the group is “free to join,” Masalskis said.

Masalskis has been involved with the Stingers for more than 10 years, but she’s been a Seven Ponds member since the 1990s.

“I love nature in general,” she said.

In a world where “more subdivisions and shopping malls” are popping up and more trees are being “taken down” to make way for them, Masalskis believes having a refuge like Seven Ponds is critical.

“It’s nice having a little oasis in the area that you can go to and just walk around the ponds,” she said.

In addition to her volunteer work, Masalskis visits Seven Ponds about three times a month to engage in recreational activities such as bird watching.

She said Seven Ponds is a great place to “pack a lunch” and spend the day walking around, enjoying nature. To her, the best part is, whether they intend to or not, visitors always end up learning something.

To learn more, visit sevenponds.org.