BLM Presents 'Making a Difference' National Volunteer Awards
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
The Bureau of Land Management today presented its prestigious “Making a Difference" National Volunteer Awards for outstanding volunteer service in 2014 on BLM-managed lands. Top BLM leaders recognized the award winners during a national event held via live video teleconference. Staff at the BLM's headquarters in Washington, D.C. hosted the conference, which connected to six states around the country.“To carry out the day-to-day responsibilities of public land stewardship, we need the help of partners and individual citizens,"said BLM Deputy Director Steve Ellis. “Last year alone, 32,000 BLM volunteers performed more than 1.2 million hours of service, valued at over $27 million. We couldn't be more grateful for all that they choose to give to our nation and our public lands."The annual “Making a Difference" Award recognizes exceptional volunteers who have contributed thousands of hours improving the public lands. These hard-working volunteers have helped BLM to maintain recreation trails, protect archaeological sites, provide environmental education and other visitor services, and monitor and protect wildlife and other natural resources.The volunteers selected for this year's awards are:Eric Klammer (Outstanding Youth), Kremmling Field Office, Colorado; Conservation Outdoor Recreation Education (CORE) Kids, (Outstanding Youth), Wyoming State Office, Wyoming;Ted Brummer (Outstanding Achievement), Bakersfield Field Office, California; Amber Raoult (Outstanding Achievement), Uncompahgre Field Office, Colorado;Carol Chamberland (Outstanding Achievement), Rio Puerco/Socorro Field Offices, New Mexico;Tim Cox and Doug Hancock (Lifetime Achievement), Lower Potomac Field Station, Virginia;Tom and Bessie Evans (Lifetime Achievement), Butte Field Office, Montana;Jim Greene and Martha Vogt (Lifetime Achievement), Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, Montana.A national panel of BLM specialists and partner representatives selected the award winners from dozens of nominees submitted by BLM state offices. The winners demonstrated exceptional contributions to the conservation and management of public lands.
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.