Acting BLM Colorado State Director presents Volunteer of the Year Award to Dolores Resident
Organization
Media Contact:
DOLORES, Colo. – On Wednesday, Dec. 11, John Mehlhoff, Bureau of Land Management Colorado Acting State Director, presented the BLM Colorado Volunteer of the Year Award to Marty Costos from the Anasazi Heritage Center.
“We gratefully rely on the help of interested citizens, such as Marty, who believe in our mission, love the public lands and are willing to volunteer time and energy to further our mission,” said Mehlhoff. “Marty’s help is essential and very much appreciated.”
The award acknowledges volunteers who have made significant contributions to BLM Colorado programs, initiatives and events.
“Marty has been a dedicated volunteer for the Anasazi Heritage Center for more than a decade in our education, interpretation and curation programs,” said Marietta Eaton, Anasazi Heritage Center and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument Manager. “She has been willing to tackle myriad projects that have benefited our programs. Her passion and enthusiasm for cultural resources are reflected in the countless hours she has donated to our curation program. “
As a volunteer, Costos developed educational collections, cataloged archaeological materials, taught school groups, assisted with artifact conservation, completed condition reports for exhibit materials and assisted in inventorying archaeological artifacts excavated on sites as part of the Dolores Archaeological Program. She also provided weekly "behind-the-scenes" curation tours, offering visitors the rare opportunity to see the world class collections at the Anasazi Heritage Center.
Costos’ work allows the BLM to meet its mission and legal requirements to promote, preserve and provide access to the cultural resources in our care for research, education and interpretation of the region’s history.
“Marty is an extraordinary volunteer who makes the BLM Anasazi Heritage Center shine,” said Eaton.
Since 2002, Costos has dedicated 1,676 hours of her time, the equivalent of a full time staff person for one year.
The BLM Colorado Volunteer of the Year Award has been presented annually since 2006. Volunteers play a vital role in helping BLM Colorado achieve its mission. Whether working alone, as a group, or alongside BLM employees, volunteers make a difference.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.