FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2012
Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark presents the first Volunteer Hero awards
Outstanding volunteers were recognized at a recreation leadership meeting
OLYMPIA – Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark presented the first Volunteer Hero awards yesterday at a recreation leadership meeting in Seattle. Two outstanding volunteers were chosen to receive this annual award for their sustained service, superior performance, leadership, and commitment to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) volunteer program.
Goldmark presented a certificate and a jacket to each of the recipients with a unique Volunteer Hero patch.
“These Volunteer Heroes inspire the best in all of us. Not only do their actions directly influence the success of the program, but their dedication and sense of service inspire those who have the opportunity to work with them” said Peter Goldmark. “It is an honor to recognize Tom and Bob’s volunteer accomplishments today.”
Recipients were selected from a pool of individuals nominated by the public in September. DNR received nominations for 19 volunteers from across the state.
Volunteer Hero Award Recipients
The award recipients were announced by Goldmark, and their accomplishments are included below.
Tom Faubion of Eatonville, WA. Mr. Faubion is a long-time volunteer of DNR. He has been instrumental in the development and maintenance of a horse trail system at Elbe Hills State Forest. He is a tireless worker, who is often one of the first to help clear trails after storms. Mr. Faubion has helped with the development of a user map and has been known to lend his emergency medical training skills to riders in need.
Mr. Faubion is committed to volunteerism and community involvement. His presence and efforts have positively affected the land, the resources, and the people, making him one of this year’s Volunteer Heroes.
Bob Langley of Everett, WA. Mr. Langley volunteers hundreds of hours every year on various DNR landscapes across the state including Capitol State Forest, Tahuya State Forest, and Walker Valley. He works on both motorized and non-motorized projects in an effort to ‘give back’ to the landscapes on which he recreates. His efforts include helping to reroute trails to protect streams, reopening trails after storms, and participating in the annual gravel haul-in to maintain trails.
Mr. Langley’s leadership, humor, concern for the environment, and amazing attitude inspire children and adults alike. It is these qualities, as well as his considerable service, that make him one of this year’s Volunteer Heroes.
About DNR
DNR manages about 3 million acres of state-owned trust lands for revenue to trust beneficiaries, including public schools and universities, as well as public services in several counties. The agency also manages about 2.6 million acres of aquatic lands, including the bedlands under Puget Sound. Peter Goldmark is Washington’s 13th Commissioner of Public Lands since statehood in 1889.
Photos of the Commissioner’s Volunteer Hero Award recipients are on DNR’s Ear to the Ground blog:
http://washingtondnr.wordpress.com/2012/12/06/commissioner-of-public-lands-peter-goldmark-honors-two-volunteer-heroes/
Link to the 2012 Volunteer Hero Nominees
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/amp_rec_volunteer_hero_nominees.pdf
Media Contact: Diana Lofflin, Recreation Program Communications Manager, 360-902-1169, Diana.Lofflin@dnr.wa.gov
# # #