Monument Volunteers Receive National Award

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We have exciting news to share with you regarding the volunteers of Florissant Fossil Bed National Monument! Please see the news release (attached) and a message from the Superintendent, Michelle Wheatley, below:

Greetings All,

It is with great pleasure for me to congratulate Florissant Fossil Bed National Monument’s volunteers for winning the national 2017 George and Helen Hartzog Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service in the category of Park Volunteer Program Award.  The Hartzog Park Volunteer Program Award is the most distinguished honor that a park can receive for outstanding volunteer service.

In 2017, volunteers at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument made extraordinary contributions to the park’s success in managing visitor services operations, trails, and resource protection.  Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument’s volunteers are a group of individuals who are passionate about America’s national parks and proudly share their talents, skills, and time to make the monument a stronger and more vibrant place.  Through their incredible work and dedication, they have made an exceptional contribution to our community and monument.

I would like to extend my gratitude to the following:

  • Jeff Wolin for doing such a great job leading the monument’s volunteer program and for nominating our volunteer program to receive the award. And the monument’s staff for embracing volunteerism.
  • All the amazing individuals that spend countless hours helping to manage our website, provide GIS support, staff the front desk, assist with interpretive and educational programs, community outreach, special events, trails, boundary fence projects, and backcountry and front country patrols.
  • The Friends of Florissant Fossil Beds Board of Directors for all the work behind the scenes to support volunteerism, active engagement, financial support, partnership and community outreach.
  • The Coalition of the Upper South Platte for assisting with recruiting and leading large group volunteer service learning projects.
  • The Colorado Springs Astronomical Society for sharing their shares their passion, knowledge of the night sky, and equipment with visitors every month.
Additional information can be found on the following link:  https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/04-26-2018-volunteer-awards.htm

Nomination Description:
In 2017, the innovative volunteer program at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument found new ways to reach a growing number of park visitors and respond to park needs. With support from the volunteer program, this small park staff personally oriented 70,000 visitors, organized a monthly Night Sky Program that regularly reaches 70-100 night sky enthusiasts, inducted 4,000 new Junior Rangers, surveyed 54 miles of boundary fencing, and improved 10% of the park’s total hiking trails.

All of this was made possible with the support of committed volunteers, partners, and employees from every division who have created a volunteer program which substantially contributes to every aspect of park operations. The program is resourceful and creative in teaming up with local partners like the Coalition for the Upper South Platte, which recruits, trains, and supervises large volunteer groups. Additionally, the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society shares their passion and knowledge of the night sky with visitors every month. Overall, this volunteer program demonstrates how volunteers can have an outsized, outstanding impact on a park and visitor experience.

The award will be presented at a ceremony in Washington, DC this summer (TBD). We will be sending out an announcement to celebrate this great achievement locally in the next couple weeks.

Thank you for all you do to support Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument,

Michelle