On December 13, 2006 Oregon/Washington Bureau of Land Management State Director Elaine Brong announced Northwest Youth Corps as the winner of the first annual Partner Appreciation Award during a reception at the World Forestry Center.
“What a wonderful surprise and what great recognition for all the kids who worked so hard last summer,” said Art Pope, Northwest Youth Corps Executive Director.
BLM Roseburg District’s nomination for the Northwest Youth Corps received the award based on their commitment to educating Oregon youth, supporting the economic stability of local communities, and improving BLM public lands for the use and benefit of everyone.
“This is something that I really wanted to do before retirement – show my appreciation for all the accomplishments achieved through collaborative efforts,” said Brong. “Throughout my career, I have always viewed partners and volunteers as valuable assets that help make important projects and programs happen. These individuals and organizations model the important principle of citizen stewardship, helping BLM maintain the health of our public lands.”
Joe Waksmundski, Northwest Youth Corps Program Manager, accepted the award on behalf of the organization and expressed his gratitude for the recognition. “This is a great honor for Northwest Youth Corps and we are very proud of what we have been able to achieve through our partnership with the BLM.”
During the 2006 field season, Northwest Youth Corps crews completed 18 weeks of crew work on projects within BLM’s Roseburg District. Northwest Youth Corps members and staff completed 7,537 hours of project work including trail & campground maintenance, pruning, noxious weed removal, and seeding.
Funds were leveraged through the Roseburg BLM Resource Advisory Committee Secure Rural School and Community Self-Determination Act Title II funds, Douglas County Title III funds, and National Forest Foundation– Centennial Year Challenge Grant funds. The value of their contributions totals nearly $136,000.
“Through hands-on, personal experiences, the Northwest Youth Corps has helped Oregon youth develop a stewardship, conservation ethic that will carry through to one day making important decisions regarding the future of our public lands,” said Jay Carlson, BLM Roseburg District Manager.
“I truly appreciate all their efforts to make a real difference to our BLM public lands and local communities. By working together we are able to enhance public education opportunities and promote greater understanding and appreciation of Oregon’s very special public lands and resources,” added Brong.
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Oregon/Washington BLM District Offices submitted nominations for the award. The nominations included a wide array of individuals and organizations which contribute significantly to accomplishing the bureau’s mission and exemplify the President’s Cooperative Conservation philosophy and the Take Pride in America program.
Although the award was selected based upon Northwest Youth Corps work with the BLM Roseburg District, it is important to note that their successful field season also supported efforts in the BLM Eugene, Salem, Coos Bay and Medford Districts. During 2006, their total project hours by district includes: Roseburg - 7,537 hours; Coos Bay - 7,093 hours; Eugene - 4,613 hours; Salem - 2,298 hours; Medford - 2,033 hours, for a total of 23,574 hours contributed to BLM public lands and a value of service at nearly $425,275.
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