Forest Volunteers Receive National Award

Sonora, CA– Volunteers of the Stanislaus National Forest have received a special honor.

The Stanislaus Wilderness Volunteers (SWV) were awarded the 2011 National Wilderness Aldo Leopold Award for Overall Wilderness Stewardship Program from Chief of the Forest Service Tom Tidwell.

The award is the highest honor that can be given in recognition of volunteer efforts to assist the Forest Service in accomplishing its mission to manage congressionally designated wilderness for the benefit of Americans.  

Awards are given in six categories including wilderness education, traditional skils/minimum tool use, wilderness research, individual and group stewardship, and Line Officer leadership.

“This prestigious award is a well deserved, high profile recognition for our dedicated wilderness volunteers,” said Forest Supervisor Susan Skalski. “It’s a tremendous benefit for the Forest, local community, and visiting public to have such highly motivated, enthusiastic, and professional individuals working together to improve recreational opportunities, and to ensure enduring wilderness values for future generations to enjoy.”

The Stanislaus Wilderness Volunteers consists of 61 members who contributed a total of 4,500 hours of service in 2010. Members served as volunteer wilderness educators on foot, horseback mounted patrol, and ranger station front desk information personnel.

Written by tina.falco@mlode.com