The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) honored the Catalina
Island Conservancy's Volunteer Program on October 25, 1995, with the presentation
of the 1995 Chevrolet Outdoor Conservation Award. This prestigious award, cosponsored
by NFWF and Chevrolet, recognizes one individual and one local service/volunteer
based organization whose endeavors help conserve and restore our outdoor resources.
 The
award was presented to Department, accepted by Annette Shears, by the president
of Chevrolet at a special luncheon in the nation's Capitol which was attended
by members of the NFWF Board of Directors, senators, legislators and other dignitaries.
The diversity of activities undertaken by Conservancy volunteers was stressed
during the presentation, with special notice given to the fact that they help
out in every department from Administration to Ecological Restoration.
NFWF members who were on the judging committee told Annette that part of the
appeal of the Catalina Island Conservancy's program was that the group not only
worked together but also appeared to have fun together as exemplified in the
trip taken by a large group of volunteers to the Banning Museum and the Civil
War Barracks in Wilmington. (A recent Volunteer Times newsletter that described
the trip and other volunteer activities was included as part of the submittal
for the award.) Another point that seemed especially noteworthy was the fact
that there is abundant recognition of the importance of volunteers and their
countless hours of donated service from the top on down in the organization.
The Catalina Island Conservancy volunteers donated an impressive amount of
time in 1995. Over 9,430 hours were donated by 367 people on about 35 projects
in the various Conservancy departments, and another 9,000 hours by about 125
volunteers from the Catalina Conservancy Divers on their eight projects in the
waters surrounding Santa Catalina Island.
Catalina Island Conservancy Board Chairman Paxson Offield summed it all up
very well when he said, The cumulative efforts which started with Laura Stein
and Doug Propst as they developed a volunteer program and continued with the
fine work of Annette Shears, have resulted in the Conservancy receiving the most
prestigious conservation award in the country. This is confirmation of the great
concern and dedication that so many people have for the conservation and preservation
of Santa Catalina Island. There is no question in my mind that much of what has
been achieved by the Conservancy over the years could not have occurred without
volunteer help. We look forward to continued and increased volunteer efforts
in the future as we enhance our education and science oriented projects." |
