BLM-Utah Volunteer Receives the "Making a Difference" National Volunteer Award
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Salt Lake City—Bureau of Land Management volunteer Sharron Evans of central Utah has received the prestigious “Making a Difference Award” for her contributions to the agency’s Wild Horse and Burro Program (WHB). She was among five individuals, two couples, and one group honored on June 2nd for outstanding volunteer service or leadership on BLM public lands.
Evans was chosen from more than 25,000 volunteers who served in 2015. Acting BLM-Utah State Director Jenna Whitlock praised Evans for her dedication to the program.
“Sharron lifts the spirits of everyone she meets. She brings almost 20 years of volunteer experience and unbridled enthusiasm to Utah’s Wild Horse and Burro Program,” she said.
Evans has volunteered with the WHB program since 1998 in Utah and California, including the past three years with the BLM-Utah’s off-range facility in Axtell, Utah.
Everyone at Axtell Contract Off-Range Corrals has “as their highest priority the safety and welfare of the animals and that is a privilege to work on a team like that,” remarked Evans during the award ceremony. Evans received the Outstanding Achievement award for her services administering health and preparation records for more than 1,600 wild horses and burros. She also coordinated a campaign to collect tack for the Gunnison Wild Horse Prison training program and has been instrumental in helping place dozens of animals into good homes through the Youth and Mustang and Trainer Incentive programs. In the past five years, Evans has adopted four burros and five wild horses to live on her farm.
The BLM presents the “Making a Difference” awards once a year to recognize the Bureau’s most exceptional volunteers, whose efforts include trail repair, visitor services, habitat restoration, and many other duties. Recipients received recognition during an event via a live video conference hosted at the BLM headquarters in Washington, D.C.
In 2015, BLM volunteers contributed more than 1 million hours, equating to more than $24 million of service and 577 work years. The annual “Making a Difference” Award recognizes exceptional volunteers who have contributed thousands of hours improving the public lands. A new “Group Excellence” category this year recognizes the contributions of volunteer groups.
In addition to Evans, other recipients are:
• Bill Mackie (Outstanding Achievement), Lake Havasu Field Office, Arizona;
• Danny and Barbara Frye (Outstanding Achievement), Butte Field Office, Montana;
• Asha Lela (Lifetime Achievement), San Juan Islands National Monument, Washington;
• Jack and Sandy Gasser (Lifetime Achievement), Yuma Field Office, Arizona;
• Horsetown Clear Creek Preserve (Group Excellence), Redding Field Office, California;
• Lesly Smith (Employee Winner), Wyoming State Office;
• Shanita McLean (Outstanding Youth), Eastern States Office, Virginia.
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.