| Contacts: | Tom Alvarez, Public Affairs Specialist, (970) 244-3097 |
BLM will host volunteer recognition reception
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Grand Junction Field Office (GJFO) will celebrate the dedication and accomplishments of its volunteers at a reception to be held on Tuesday, Nov. 30, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., in the Whitman Building at 248 S. 4th Street, in Grand Junction. BLM staff will also offer a Volunteer Orientation presentation, providing an overview of new volunteer opportunities and how to become a BLM volunteer. The evening is a chance to meet and talk with BLM staff, other volunteers and learn more about volunteer projects and partnerships. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to RSVP by calling 970 244-3000 by Nov. 24.
“Volunteers directly contribute to the success of many BLM Grand Junction projects and programs,” said Volunteer Coordinator Chris Pipkin. “Last year our volunteers gave 21,276 hours of their time working alongside BLM staff, and with in-kind donations from partner organizations, contributed a dollar value to BLM of close to $500,000. The extent of our success in many projects would be impossible without their help. The recent collaborative work on the Lunch Loop Bike Trail System is just one example of how the dedication of volunteers and partner organizations are helping create a recreational centerpiece for the community."
BLM Volunteers monitor wildlife, endangered plant species and shooting ranges, assist with the Wild Horse and Burro Program, survey archaeological sites, help build and maintain trails and assist with visitor services. For more information about volunteer opportunities call 970 244-3000 or visit the website at http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/gjfo/Volunteer.html.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. 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.
2815 H Road Grand Junction, CO 81506