For Immediate Release: September 17, 2004
Contact: Vaughn Whatley 303-239-3766
Kathryn Harrington 202-208-3568
 
 

LOU ANN JACOBSON, MANAGER OF BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT’S CANYONS OF THE ANCIENTS NATIONAL MONUMENT AND ANASAZI HERITAGE CENTER, IS RECIPIENT OF 2004 TAKE PRIDE IN AMERICA® FEDERAL LAND MANAGER AWARD

WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton today announced Lou Ann Jacobson, manager, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and Anasazi Heritage Center, Bureau of Land Management is one of five recipients of the 2004 National Take Pride in America Federal Land Manager Award. Presented annually, Take Pride in America’s national awards recognize outstanding volunteer projects and efforts in a variety of categories. Today’s awardees, representing the Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service and USDA Forest Service, are honored for their innovative and creative approaches to using volunteers.

“Land managers, like Ms. Jacobson, have taken extraordinary steps to build strong and effective partnerships between citizen volunteers and professional staff,” Norton said. “By harnessing this limitless volunteer potential at the places we enjoy, we have seen tremendous accomplishments and are building a lasting legacy of responsibility and community.”

Jacobson consistently involves volunteers in all operations of the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and the Anasazi Heritage Center. The teamwork of volunteers, interns and staff provides seven-day-a-week support to the federal site. For example, in fiscal year 2003, they collectively greeted 25,850 visitors, cataloged 68,750 artifacts, hosted 119 school groups and responded to more than 200 research requests. Specifically, in fiscal year 2003, volunteers donated 13,000 hours of service in areas such as education, interpretation and outreach; research and monitoring studies; and cleanup, maintenance and administration.

About Take Pride in America
Take Pride in America is a national partnership that recruits, supports and recognizes volunteers who work to improve our public parks, forests, grasslands, reservoirs, wildlife refuges, cultural and historic sites, local playgrounds, and other recreation areas. With 100 Charter Partners, Take Pride involves federal, state and local governments; conservation, youth and recreation groups; and top national corporations and organizations. Together, we protect and enhance the special legacy all Americans share – our public lands that cover one in every three acres across the nation. For more information visit: www.TakePride.gov.

- BLM -