Nov. 6, 2008

Contact: David Boyd, Public Affairs Specialist, (970) 947-2832

Glenwood Springs Outdoor Recreation Planner wins BLM stewardship award

GLENWOOD SPRINGS—BLM Colorado State Director Sally Wisely presented Glenwood Springs Outdoor Recreation Planner Kay Hopkins with the first annual Eric Finstick Wilderness Stewardship Award today.

The award recognizes the contribution of BLM or Service First employees in managing BLM’s special places, through remembrance of long-time BLM Colorado Wilderness Coordinator Eric Finstick.

“Eric was an exemplary steward of public lands and was dedicated to preserving wilderness and the public’s special places,” Wisely said. “Kay Hopkins exemplifies this spirit of public service and commitment to wild land resources.”

Hopkins has been an outdoor recreation planner for the Glenwood Springs Field Office for the past 12 years. She is currently playing a key role in the revision of the BLM Glenwood Springs Resource Management Plan, including evaluating proposed Areas of Critical Environmental Concerns. She worked on the Roan Plateau Plan, including important ACEC designations to protect scenic values, riparian areas and wildlife habitat.

“Kay’s expertise in outdoor recreation planning, wild and scenic rivers, visual resources, wilderness and even managing cave areas has made her an essential part of the BLM’s stewardship of the public lands in the Glenwood Springs area,” Wisely said. “Given her strategic location, surrounded by world-class mountain resorts, spectacular scenery, rushing rivers and canyons, important wildlife habitat, and high value energy resources, Kay’s confidence in ‘doing the right thing’ for resources and the public has been an inspiration.”

The Eric Finstick Wilderness Stewardship Award was established to honor the memory, legacy and vision of Eric Finstick, a long time BLM Colorado employee.  Eric was an exemplary steward of public lands and was dedicated to preserving wilderness and other special places.  A strong advocate, Eric championed the preservation of special places with a kind heart and gentle spirit.

Eric worked for the U.S. Department of the Interior for over 36 years, serving 31 of those years for the Bureau of Land Management.  In addition to his love for the public lands, Eric loved to travel and he hiked many trails around the world.  This award honors Eric’s memory and will further his efforts in stewardship of the BLM’s wilderness and other special areas. 
The BLM Glenwood Springs Field Office manages the Castle Peak, Bull Gulch, Hack Lake and Eagle Mountain wilderness study areas, as well as the Upper Colorado River and the Eagle River Recreation areas.

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