The Great Dismal Swamp
Coming Soon ...
This collection is made possible by the generous support of the National Geographic Society as a part of their Young Explorer Program.
- Collection of long-form oral histories
- Collection of short-form expert/scholar interviews
- Mini-documentary film about the history of the GDS and adjacent Hampton Roads region
- Map and process document outlining the pathways for community engagement and collection
Our Community Collaborators
Elder Benjamin Keeling
Chief Emeritus Sam Bass
Dominique Daye Hunter
We would like to extend deep gratitude to leadership at the Great Dismal Swamp Stakeholder Collaborative who shared their time, expertise, and credibility in helping us connect with community members and elders. This work and the resources featured on this page would not be here without their help.
Great Dismal Swamp Coordinator (2024-2026)
Kayla Benjamin
Kayla Benjamin is a D.C.-based communicator focused on telling local stories about climate and environmental justice. As a reporter for the Washington Informer, Kayla covered hyperlocal air pollution, waste management issues, citywide and regional environmental policy, and grassroots activism, among other stories. She graduated from American University in 2021 after studying journalism and public policy. When she’s not thinking about climate change, solutions-focused reporting, or the Great Dismal Swamp, Kayla can be found trying new spicy foods or thrift shopping.