BLM to recognize local volunteer club contributions
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
GUNNISON, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management will honor the Gunnison Nordic Club with the 2017 Volunteer of the Year Award at the Blackstock Government Center on Feb. 8. The award recognizes individual volunteers or volunteer organizations for their contributions toward public land management in Colorado throughout the year.
“The premiere cross country skiing trails in the area are in large part due to the Gunnison Nordic Club’s willingness to volunteer their time and energy”, said Gunnison Field Manager Elijah Waters. “They are fantastic neighbors and their work is vital in how we manage winter recreation opportunities for the public.”
Gunnison Nordic Club volunteers groom cross country ski trails throughout the Gunnison area, including BLM’s popular Hartman Rocks trail system. Their work provides an economic benefit to Gunnison through destination tourism. Over the past 14 years, the club has volunteer 22,400 service hours, totaling approximately $515,200 in volunteer time.
Recreation on BLM Colorado-managed public lands generated $591 million and supported 4,827 jobs in Fiscal Year 2016.
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.