The Making a Difference Award is an annual honor presented by the BLM to recognize the Bureau’s most exceptional volunteers, whose efforts include trail repair, visitor services, habitat restoration, and many other duties. The award was presented to recipients at a recognition event via a live video conference hosted at the BLM headquarters in Washington, D.C.  The event included remarks from Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior; Neil Kornze, Principal Deputy Director of the BLM; and Carl Rountree, Assistant Director for the BLM’s National Landscape Conservation System and Community Partnerships.

Joshua Barlow, an Eagle Scout from Price, Utah, was selected as a national volunteer award recipient. When 14-year-old Josh Barlow decided to complete an Eagle Scout project, he contacted the BLM-Utah Price Field Office for ideas.  Josh chose to enhance the Gordon Creek Trail, near his home town of Price, Utah.  The trail crosses BLM-managed lands, and a Wildlife Management Area administered by the Utah State Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR).  Josh built a fence in front of an historic cabin, installed signs along the trail, and fixed washed-out trail segments. Josh coordinated with the BLM and DWR staff, presented his project plans at a public recreation meeting, and found outside donors like the Utah Off-Highway Vehicle Program for materials.

Josh personally contributed more than 56 hours to the project, with additional time devoted to project preparation and obtaining materials.  Josh’s project volunteers performed 658 hours of labor with an estimated value of more than $15,000. 

Associate State Director, Jenna Whitlock, praised Josh for his outstanding work, commitment, and his “over-achieving” accomplishments. “He’s an extraordinary young man. It was an honor for me to recognize Josh for this prestigious national award.”