| Contacts: | Deanna Masterson, Public Affairs Specialist, (303) 239-3671 |
BLM Colorado Volunteer Work Valued at Nearly $3.5 Million
DENVER, Colo. – Colorado volunteers worked more than 172,000 hours on public lands in Fiscal Year 2008 according to the Bureau of Land Management’s 2008 Volunteer Annual Report, which tracks and highlights BLM volunteers’ contribution to public land stewardship. These volunteer hours equate to nearly $3.5 million in service on public lands.
BLM Colorado projects include trail maintenance in Grand Junction, invasive species control in McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, and a bat survey and data collection project in Montrose.
The BLM national report ranks Colorado third in volunteer hours. California and Oregon/Washington (managed by one BLM state office) round out the top three states in the country for BLM volunteer hours.
Across the country, volunteers working individually, in teams, and in partnerships contributed more than 1.2 million hours of work on BLM public lands. The volunteer hours equate to the work of more than 650 full-time agency employees totaling $24 million.
Through the volunteer program, the BLM is able to connect communities with public lands. The program also offers opportunities for youth to engage in natural resource work within their communities.
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado is recognized in the report as a recipient of BLM’s “Making a Difference” award for outstanding volunteer service leadership in 2008. Photos and winner profiles are available on the BLM Volunteer Program Web site at www.blm.gov/volunteer.
BLM offers training for managers and employees to more effectively use volunteers to further the BLM’s multiple use mission, strengthen partnerships, and enhance awareness of the program.
For more information about volunteer opportunities with BLM in Colorado, contact Jack Placchi at 303-239-3832 or Jack_Placchi@blm.gov. To view the full Volunteer Annual Report, please visit www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/res/Volunteer/reports.html.
The BLM manages more land - 253 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
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