WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Land Management today recognized the winners of the 2018 “Making a Difference” National Volunteer Awards.  These awards acknowledge the winners’ exceptional volunteer service on BLM-managed public lands in 2017.  This year’s awardees were honored during a ceremony that connected winners across the country via video teleconferences at BLM offices in several states and in Washington, D.C.  

“Through the years, volunteers on our public lands have ensured that Teddy Roosevelt’s ideal – the American conservation ethic – would endure,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. “The BLM volunteers being celebrated today are champions of this conservation ethic, and it is an honor to recognize them for their extraordinary efforts.”

In 2017, more than 28,000 volunteers contributed nearly 1 million hours of service valued at close to $23 million. The annual "Making a Difference" Award recognizes exceptional volunteers who have contributed thousands of hours improving the public lands.  These hard-working volunteers have helped the BLM monitor trails, manage wild horses, keep campers safe, and provide environmental education, interpretation, and other visitor services.

The 2018 awardees and their BLM nominating offices are:

·         Pat & Phyllis Malato, Outstanding Achievement, Upper Snake Field Office (Idaho)

·         Susan Murphy, Outstanding Achievement, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation

Area (Nevada)

·         Miranda & Madison Dickinson, Outstanding Youth, National Historic Trails Interpretive Center (Wyoming)

·         Great Escape Mustang Sanctuary, Group Excellence, Little Snake Field Office (Colorado)

·         David & Jane Styer, Lifetime Achievement, Fort Ord National Monument (California)

·         Sandra & Geoff Freethey, Lifetime Achievement, Moab Field Office (Utah)

·         Laura Olais, Employee Winner, Gila District Office (Arizona)

A national panel of BLM specialists and partner organization representatives selected the winners for their exceptional contributions to conservation and management of public lands. 

For more information, please contact Linda Schnee, BLM National Volunteer Program Lead, at 202-912-7453 or lschnee@blm.gov. 

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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Diverse activities authorized on these lands generated $75 billion in sales of goods and services throughout the American economy in fiscal year 2016—more than any other agency in the Department of the Interior. These activities supported more than 372,000 jobs.