Spotted Bear Ranger District awarded
The Daily Inter Lake
The Spotted Bear Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest in Northwest Montana received the national Take Pride in America Federal Land Manager Forest Service Award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Friday.
The Spotted Bear district was recognized for its long-term support of and commitment to volunteers engaging in projects reflecting good stewardship of public lands.
U.S Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell acknowledged the agency's pride in the award.
"This is the first time the Forest Service elected to nominate all employees on a ranger district, as opposed to an individual," he said. "The staff of the Spotted Bear Ranger District takes a team approach to encouraging people to become connected with their forest through volunteerism. The Forest Service is honored to have thousands of volunteers working on National Forest System lands with the Spotted Bear Ranger District serving a shining example."
Spotted Bear District Ranger Deb Mucklow and District Wilderness Manager Tad Wehunt attended the ceremony to receive the award for the district.
In 2008, the Spotted Bear district hosted volunteers contributing time equal to 13.5 full-time employees, exceeding the 12 full-time district staff positions and totaling a donation of approximately $425,000.
Volunteers at the Spotted Bear Ranger District contribute to trail maintenance, wilderness management, facility management, airstrip maintenance, weed control and inventory, wildlife and fishery work, recreation facilities and visitor services.
Take Pride in America is a national partnership program authorized by Congress to promote the appreciation and stewardship of public lands including parks, forests, historic sites and schools.
Each year, federal land management agencies nominate an individual or unit showing outstanding commitment to collaborating with volunteers in pursuit of their agencies' mission.
Volunteers at the Spotted Bear Ranger District contribute to trail maintenance, wilderness management, facility management, airstrip maintenance, weed control and inventory, wildlife and fishery work, recreation facilities and visitor services. They play a key role in maintaining the history and tradition of the district, as well as creating a connection to the future.