For Immediate Release     Mel Lloyd     BLM 970-244-3097
May 12, 2008    

Local BLM volunteer receives national honor

WASHINGTON, DC — The Bureau of Land Management Uncompahgre Field Office (UFO) is proud to announce that one of its own volunteers was honored in a special ceremony on Thursday, May 8, in Washington, DC. Volunteer Ken Emory was presented the 2008 BLM “Making a Difference” National Volunteer Award by Deputy Director of Operations Henri R. Bisson and BLM Colorado Associate State Director Dave Hunsaker. Emory, selected for his exceptional volunteer efforts that benefit public lands and those who recreate on them, is also a member of the BLM’s Southwest Resource Advisory Council (RAC) and the Colorado Recreation RAC administered by the USDA Forest Service. Along with Emory, three other individuals, two groups, one two-person team, and one BLM employee also received the award.

“Ken serves on our RAC, volunteers at our front desk, recruits others to volunteer, and acts as a BLM goodwill ambassador all on his own time,” said Kevin Cohenour, volunteer coordinator for the UFO. “Not only that, Ken participates in all kinds of on-the-ground projects that improve public lands and in turn improve everyone’s outdoor experience.”

Emory, an experienced off-highway vehicle enthusiast who retired to Montrose seven years ago, provides a wealth of information to those stopping by the Montrose Public Lands Center before they head out to the trails. Emory has been especially valuable to the UFO in reaching out to the OHV community as BLM staff work to develop a travel management plan with travel prescriptions for area public lands. Emory is a member of the Western Slope Four-Wheelers and Blue Ribbon Coalition, and has been exploring the San Juan country for over 20 years.

To learn more about volunteering for the BLM, contact Kevin Cohenour at (970) 240-5300.  
 

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Editor’s Note: Photo available upon request.