|
December 21, 2011
We wish all our great members and extraordinary volunteers
a very Happy Holiday Season and look forward to seeing you out in the Wilds in 2012.
-- from the entire Friends of Nevada Wilderness crew
Wilderness Wingding: What a great party!
An event to remember
The 5th annual Wilderness Wingding, hosted by Friends of Nevada
Wilderness at the Grand Sierra Resort on Friday, December 16, was certainly an event to
remember. Over 275 people came out to partake in delightful nibbles donated by local
businesses like Capriottis and The Hub Coffee Co. An awards ceremony highlighted
volunteers, organizations, and corporations that played a key role during the 2011
field season.
We couldnt have done any of this without our volunteers and
supporters, said Pat Bruce, Stewardship Program Director. And we want to make sure
to thank them.
Scott Hall receiving Volunteer of the Year Award
In 2011, volunteers worked on over 135 wilderness projects
and monitoring efforts, giving 10,528 volunteer hours and donating a total of $225,000
of in-kind labor to Nevadas wild lands.
Each Blue Helmet volunteer completed three (or more) stewardship projects in 2011
Volunteers received bags with an assortment of goodies, including
fleece gloves from the Reno Bighorns basketball team, BPA-free mugs from GSI Outdoors,
and for the adults certificates for free pints at Buckbean Brewing Company.
"The Grups" kept toes tapping with their joyful songs
and DJ "Mellow Yellow" spun the tunes after the program
A special thanks to all the individuals and businesses that donated items to the silent
auction and raffle - it wouldn't have been the same without all the community support.
One of the most coveted items was the PhatCycle Melinda bike from
Black Rock Bicycles. Black Rock Bicycles also received a special recognition award
for their continued support of Friends of Nevada Wilderness and Nevadas public lands.
Enjoying the party
The special awardees each received an appreciation certificate
from Senator Harry Reid presented by Susan Lisagor from his Reno office. What I really
love about Friends of Nevada Wilderness is they do this wonderful work with such grace
and humor, youre always having a wonderful time! she said.
Special Awardees
Volunteer of the Year Scott Hall (photo above)
Agency Partnership of the Year US Fish and Wildlife Service (Desert and Sheldon Wildlife Refuges)
Fish and Wildlife Service the Agency Partner of the Year award winners: John Kasbohm, Brian Day and Damien Miller from the Hart-Sheldon Refuge complex
Agency Person of the Year Carol Reott Hotchkiss US Forest Service
Carol Reott Hotchkiss with son Andrew and her Agency Person of the Year award
Corporate Partner of the Year REI
Ruler of the Spooler Award Bill James
Group Partner of the Year Nevada Outdoor School
Special Recognition Black Rock Bicycles; The Law Office of Demetras and ONeill
Blue Helmet Awardees volunteers who attended at least three trips over the 2011 season: David Book, Elyse Briski, Don Brown, Danielle Cotte, Larry Dwyer, Matthew Metric Ebert, John Fiske, John and Hermi Hiatt, Dorothy Hudig, Gordon Jackson, Paul Jackson, Dylan Kuhn, Martin Mace, Barry and Kathy Morgan, Susan Murphy, Anthony Rivera, Dick Ross, Darcy Shepard, Jim Switalla, Chuck Thomas, Mike Thorson, Joe Trujillo.
A group of Blue Helmet awardees
And a big THANK YOU to Marcial Reiley for doing such great work
as the official party photographer.
All photos above (c) Marcial Reiley
The Grand Sierra Resort and Casino was our party host
return to top
| 