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December 15, 2009
Wilderness Wingding wrap-up
Thanks to all who attended Friends' big party
A big thanks to those 150 members and friends who braved deep
snow to attend the 2009 Wilderness Wingding celebrating our
volunteers and our Nevada Wilderness.
For those of you who couldn't make it because of weather or other
commitments we are bringing the party to you in this email.
The Party
Marge Sill and Sheena Britschgi volunteered to welcome everybody.
Larry and Katie Dwyer sampling the wonderful spread of food and drink...
while listening to beautiful acoustic guitar music provided by Jason Galapogos.
Between eating and drinking, party goers checked out the incredible
gifts donated by local businesses and individuals for the raffle and silent auction.
Marnee Bensen posing with handcrafted hat made and donated by board member Hermi Hiatt.
And Becky and Kirk Stock checking out the Washoe Pines wine gift basket in the raffle.
The awards!
Pat Bruce, Master of Ceremonies, presents Ed Monnig, Supervisor of the Humboldt-Toiyabe
National Forest, with the Agency Partner of the Year Award for Ed's leadership
and commitment to wilderness and working with Friends of Nevada Wilderness.
Agency partners recognized were Dave Hays and
Steve Smith with the BLM and Jeff Weise and Ed
Monnig with the Forest Service (Wes Hoskins, co-Emcee, at left).
The Blue Helmet Awards were presented to the following volunteers
for participating in three or more stewardship trips in 2009: John Fiske, Paul Jackson
and Catherine Temple were all first-time winners of the Blue Helmet Award. Caleb Burke,
Mike Thorsen, Barry Morgan, Bill James, John Hiatt also held this honor in 2008 and
were awarded a limited-edition Friends' embroidered cap.
Caleb Burke, Catherine Temple and John Fiske awardees.
All volunteers attending the party were given lexan camping cups donated by GSI
Outdoors and filled with goodies.
Brian Rocca shows off his lexan cup.
John Fiske was recognized for the Volunteer of the Year Award for his exceptional
dedication to protecting wild areas and their natural and cultural resources.
Steve Smith from the BLM gave Above and Beyond awards
including cool sweatshirts to Pat Bruce, Sheena Britschgi, and Shaaron Netherton for their
service to wilderness in the Ely BLM District.
Matt Tuma, from Senator Reids office also gave awards to our special volunteers.
Senator Reid was recognized for his leadership getting 67 of the 68 wilderness areas
in Nevada designated and into the National Wilderness Preservation System. This year
was the 20th anniversary of the Nevada Wilderness Preservation Act, the bill that
protected Forest Service wilderness areas like Mt. Rose and Mt. Charleston.
More revelry
We finished the evening with cake celebrating Friends of Nevada Wilderness'
25th anniversary and
good cheer between friends, Laura Brigham and Marnee Benson.
Wes Hoskins, co-host of party, shares a happy moment with Valerie Anderson.
Old and young, alike, enjoyed the toe-tapping music from the band Other.
That was the long and short of the party: Pat Bruce and Shaaron Netherton.
Once again, a BIG THANK YOU goes out to:
the management and staff of Grand
Sierra Resort for donating the venue and for their outstanding assistance throughout the evening; all individuals and businesses who donated awesome food and
drink, great items for the raffle and silent auctions.
Click here
for the list of donors; the party-crew volunteers who helped throughout the day
and evening; everyone who braved the inclement weather and heavy snow to
attend Friends' event; and of course, all of Friends' extraordinary volunteers who give
so much back to Nevada's wildlands throughout the year.
All photos are courtesy of Graham Stafford.
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Upcoming volunteer projects and events
Just for southern Nevada, a trio of January stewardship trips will take on
cleaning up the Lovell Canyon area on the west side of the Spring Mountains.
Friday, January 8, 2010 West side of the Spring Mountains clean-up
Stewardship — Clean up litter and trash in the wild Spring Mountains - just outside Las Vegas.
Details
Saturday, January 16, 2010 West side of the Spring Mountains clean-up
Stewardship — Clean up litter and trash in the wild Spring Mountains - just outside Las Vegas.
Details
Wednesday, January 20, 2010 West side of the Spring Mountains clean-up
Stewardship — Clean up litter and trash in the wild Spring Mountains - just outside Las Vegas.
Details
Many trips through the year are listed at
Friends' website.
If you want to help keep these great opportunities coming, please click the button to donate:
Visit our website's
TAKE ACTION
pages for other ways to get involved with Friends of Nevada Wilderness.
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