Select this link for profiles of the winners

Nine outstanding Bureau of Land Management (BLM) volunteers (individuals, couples and one organization) and three exceptional BLM employees have been selected to receive the agency's 2002 "Making a Difference" National Volunteer Awards. BLM Director Kathleen Clarke and BLM Assistant Director for Communications Larry Finfer will present these awards at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C. May 30. These awards recognize exemplary volunteer contributions made in the year 2001 on behalf of the public lands. This work includes protecting archaeological and paleontological resources, promoting the Adopt-A-Horse program, restoring rivers and desert habitat, protecting caves, living on-site to manage a recreation area, and collectively supervising thousands of additional volunteers in these projects.

Volunteers from the Southwest Region of the National Speleological Society of Carlsbad, New Mexico.

The winners are: Bob Bower, Albuquerque, NM; Pete Fish, Ridgecrest, CA; Leon Lesicka, El Centro, CA; Randy S. Paiment, Arcata, CA; Kay Patteson, Salem, OR; Ron & Carol Pownall, Jackson, MS; Margaret ("Maggie") Fugate-Swasey, Price, UT; Chuck & Pat Williams, Las Vegas, NV (Red Rock Canyon NCA); and the Southwest Region of the National Speleological Society, Carlsbad, NM. The BLM employees selected this year are: Helene Aarons, Colorado State Office; Bill Cannon, Lakeview OR, District Office and Rose Foster, Barstow CA, Field Office.

These winners represent only a small fraction of the exceptional contributions that are being made every day by thousands of people on public lands throughout the country.

Each year volunteers collectively donate about 700,000 hours to the agency, the equivalent of more than 400 work years. They perform a variety of jobs, from campground host to archaeologist to educator. The value of this work is conservatively estimated to exceed $11 million. In many instances, volunteers serve as BLM's first point of contact with the public, playing an important ambassadorial role for the agency. In some remote areas, campgrounds and other recreation sites would be closed were it not for volunteer assistance. Additionally, volunteers play an increasingly important role for the agency as growing populations in the West have placed increased demands on the public lands.

A national panel of BLM and partner organization representatives selected the award winners from nominations submitted by BLM State Offices and National Centers. Award recipients are chosen for "Making a Difference" in management and conservation of the public lands and their resources.

In order to acknowledge these invaluable volunteer contributions, BLM initiated its "Making a Difference" National Awards in 1995, holding its first recognition ceremony in 1996. This year's observance marks the sixth annual presentation of these awards.

Select this link for highlights of the last year's (2001) Volunteer Award ceremony.