| Contacts: | Shannon Borders, 970-240-5399 |
Local volunteers recognized for 500 hours of service (04-17-12)
MONTROSE, Colo. – On Monday, Apr. 16, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service recognized Judy Berger and Joan Schmidt, Montrose Public Lands Center Volunteers, for contributing 500 hours of service to the agencies.
“The Montrose Public Lands Center relies on many volunteers to assist the public by providing insight into public land use,” said Katie Phillips, BLM volunteer/visitor services coordinator. “These volunteers work tirelessly and the only compensation they receive is our sincere appreciation and public recognition.”
Schmidt started volunteering in April 2008. In her spare time, she leads wildflower walks in the spring and assists with snowshoe walks in the winter for the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Berger started volunteering in March 2009. She is a very active in her church and enjoys traveling in her mini camper.
To learn about volunteer opportunities, contact Phillips at jgrablander@blm.gov or 970-240-5300.
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.
2465 South Townsend Avenue Montrose, CO 81401