U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recognizes Volunteers at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service recently recognized volunteers of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) for the outstanding contributions they have made to the refuge during 2021.  The Friends of Blackwater sponsored the awards dinner held at the pavilion at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center. Volunteers assist in all aspects of the refuge, from staffing the Visitor Center, maintaining the butterfly garden, and conducting educational programs, to constructing accessible hunt blinds, maintaining refuge trails and facilities, and mentoring first-time hunters.  During 2021, 111 volunteers contributed 6,124 hours of their time to the refuge.

Refuge volunteer Harry Armistead receives the 2021 Volunteer of the Year Award at Blackwater NWR. Pictured left to right: Michele Whitbeck, Volunteer Coordinator, Blackwater NWR; Harry Armistead, and Marcia Pradines, Refuge Manager, Blackwater NWR.

Every year, Blackwater NWR honors and distinguishes a volunteer for their exemplary performance throughout the year.  This year, two volunteers were honored for their long-term commitment to the refuge and their willingness to share their expertise in refuge bird life with others.  Mr. Terry Allen of Easton, MD, and Mr. Harry Armistead of Philadelphia, PA, received the 2021 Volunteer of the Year Award for their dedicated service to the refuge.  Both Mr. Allen and Mr. Armistead have been leading bird walks on the refuge for 38 years, introducing the joy of birding to generations of refuge visitors.

Special recognition was also given to volunteers reaching key milestones in their service to Blackwater NWR.  Award pins and certificates were presented to the following volunteers for reaching milestones in the number of years they have volunteered at Blackwater NWR:  Ruth Jensen, Ron Ketter, Janet Mackey, Brian Mann, Maureen Rice and Kathy Slaughter for five years of service, June Middleton for 10 years of service, and Mary-Beth Goll for 20 years of service.

Award pins and certificates were also presented to volunteers reaching milestones in the total number of volunteer hours they have contributed to the refuge since they began volunteering.  Those recognized include:  Rhonda Franz-Floyd, John Morgan, Julie Schoch, and Jim Van Ness (50 hours), Herb Floyd and Doug Irvin (100 hours), Martha Foulon-Tonat (250 hours), Steve Funderburk and Merrill Schuetz (500 hours) and Ellie Ludvigsen and Art Smith (750 hours).  Those volunteers accumulating 1,000 hours or more are listed on the refuge’s “Volunteer Hall of Fame” plaque.  Volunteers reaching these milestones in 2021 include:  June Middleton (1000 hours), Ron Ketter (1500 hours), Harry Heckathorn and Lynda Hicken (2000 hours), and Beverly Middleton (2500 hours). Each volunteer received a special recognition gift for their volunteer efforts.

Refuge volunteer Terry Allen receives the 2021 Volunteer of the Year Award at Blackwater NWR. Pictured is Michele Whitbeck, Volunteer Coordinator at Blackwater NWR, and Terry Allen.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, protects over 32,000 acres of rich tidal marsh, mixed hardwood and pine forest, managed freshwater wetlands and cropland for a diversity of wildlife.  To learn more, visit our website at www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater or @BlackwaterNWR.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit https://www.fws/gov. 

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