Bureau of Land Management Volunteer Feature

VOLUNTEERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
ON PUBLIC LANDS

A young woman from Alabama who loves horses; a retired couple who spends summers in Pinedale, Wyoming; a middleschool teacher who loves the outdoors; and an 80-year-old man who brings an eagle puppet to life. What do these people have in common? They all volunteer for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and were recently selected among nine winners out of a pool of 16,000 fellow volunteers to be recognized for "Making a Difference" on the Nation's public lands.

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A Winning Team! The 1998 Making A Difference award winners are shown with Congressman Ralph Regula who welcomed the winning group into his office during their Capitol Tour. Shown from left to right are Glenn Stockdale (Helena, Montana), Russell Davis (Lake Havasu City, Arizona), Louise Murch (Vernal, Utah), Scott Greenwood (Moab, Utah), Lissa Davis (Carson City, Nevada), Tommy and Penny Rogers (Kingston, Tennessee), Congressman Ralph Regula, and Peggy Hodges-Pitcher (Laceys Spring, Alabama). Not shown is winner Gordon Nelson (Bishop, California).

The BLM honored these recipients of the 1998 "Making A Difference" National Volunteer Awards during three days of special events in and around Washington, D.C., in April, including a special ceremony on Wednesday, April 29, 1998, at the Potomac Landing Restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia.

 

Glenn Stockdale of Helena, Montana, center, introduces the star of his eagle education program to BLM Director Pat Shea, right, and Montana State Director Larry Hamilton.

There, Bureau Director Pat Shea, joined by Department of the Interior Chief of Staff Anne Shields and Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Management Bob Armstrong, recognized the nine 1998 volunteer winners for a wide range of achievements that include campground management, fish habitat restoration, environmental education programs, and maintenance of sensitive riparian/recreation areas.

The 1998 winners are: Lissa Davis (Carson City, Nevada), Russell Davis (Lake Havasu City, Arizona), Scott Greenwood (Moab, Utah), Peggy Hodges-Pitcher (Laceys Spring, Alabama), Louise Murch (Vernal, Utah), Gordon Nelson (Bishop, California), Penny and Tommy Rogers (Kingston, Tennessee), and Glenn Stockdale (Helena, Montana).

Assistant Secretary Armstrong said that the winners are living proof that individuals really can make a difference through service. Chief of Staff Shields noted that "Volunteers who know and love our public lands are helping bring new vigor and life to the Bureau."  Director Shea, who was joined by the appropriate BLM State Director in presenting each award, referred to the volunteers as some of our greatest resources because they are and will continue to be crucial links to local communities and beyond.

Lissa Davis of Nevada shakes hands with BLM's Nevada State Director Bob Abbey. Lissa was recognized for organizing numerous community projects on BLM land in Nevada.

Click on the names below for a brief summary of each winner's achievements. Look for special features throughout the year on this web site to learn more about this year's volunteer award winners and other special BLM volunteers. Mr. Russell Davis of Arizona was featured in the BLM's April volunteer feature of the month. In June, BLM Montana will feature Glenn Stockdale, of Helena, Montana and his educational work with eagles, on this home page.

ARIZONA - RusselDavis CALIFORNIA - Gordon Nelson EASTERN STATES - Peggy Hodges-Pitcher MONTANA - Glenn Stockdale NEVADA - Lissa Davis UTAH - Scott Greenwood UTAH - Louise Murch WYOMING - Tommy and Penny Rogers

Penny and Tommy Rogers accept their award from BLM Director Pat Shea as Wyoming State Director Al Pierson looks on. The Rogers', from Kingston, Tennessee, were recognized for superior service as summer campground hosts on public lands in Pinedale, Wyoming.

BLM Director Pat Shea visits with volunteer winner Louise Murch, both from Utah. Ms. March was recognized for her innovative outdoor education club for students in Vernal Utah.