BLM Honors Two Employees with Interpretation and Education Awards
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The Bureau of Land Management today honored two BLM employees for their dedication to connecting the agency with the public through interpretation and education programs. Molly Allen of Oregon and Josh Hammari of California were recognized with Excellence in Interpretation and Education Awards, prestigious honors given to BLM employees who carry out effective public outreach and education in their communities.
The awards were presented at the 2016 National Interpretation Awards ceremony in Corpus Christi, Texas, by Chris McAlear, Acting Assistant Director of the BLM’s National Conservation Lands and Community Partnerships program.
“The Excellence Awards capture the essence of the BLM, an agency with a complex and challenging responsibility to ensure the health and productivity of the public lands,” McAlear said. “Our interpretation and education programs expand citizen understanding of our mission and inspire stewardship and public service.”
Ms. Allen, a recreation technician at the Medford District Office in Oregon, received the Excellence in Education Award for her work in educating and engaging the local community. In 2015 alone, more than 8,000 people participated in Allen’s programs. Her work on the Table Rocks Environmental Education Program and the McGregor Park Environmental Education Program exemplify Allen’s passion for educating students about the relatability of the natural sciences to their lives.
Mr. Hammari, a visual information specialist at the California State Office in Sacramento, received the Excellence in Interpretation Award for his work on the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP). DRECP, a major component of California’s renewable energy planning efforts, provides a clear, engaging strategy to communicate with the public about the need to conserve desert ecosystems while allowing for responsible development of renewable energy projects. Hammari’s multi-media strategy, which resulted in original products that promoted public outreach and awareness, highlighted the theme of multiple-use on public lands within 22.5 million acres of California’s desert regions.
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.