PENNSYLVANIA STATE PARK VOLUNTEERS WIN TWO OF 15 NATIONAL TAKE PRIDE IN AMERICA & PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS IN NATION’S CAPITAL TODAY

WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton today gave Pennsylvania state park volunteer organizations two of 15 national Take Pride in America awards to individuals and groups. The volunteers were honored at today’s ceremony in Washington, D.C., for efforts in 2002 and as models for others to emulate under the Take Pride in America campaign, which encourages citizen stewardship of public lands and resources.

Take Pride in America is part of President Bush’s USA Freedom Corps, dedicated to fostering a culture of service to others. John Bridgeland, Director of USA Freedom Corps, presented the winners with the President’s Service Award.

The Wally Byam Caravan Club International’s work at Codoros State Park in Hanover, Pa., and the Pymatuning Lake Association’s work at Pymatuning State Park in Jamestown, Pa. merited national recognition, Norton noted.

“These winners epitomize good citizenship and volunteer stewardship,” said Norton at a ceremony with the award winners at the Department of the Interior headquarters in the nation’s capital. “Just as good neighbors in the past few weeks have helped others to protect and restore their homes from Hurricane Isabel, these volunteers have helped to protect, defend and restore our nation’s natural and cultural treasures. They give all of us an example of what it means to be good stewards of our lands and our history.”

The national Take Pride in America award recognizes the Pymatuning Lake Association and Wally Byam Caravan Club International for “outstanding stewardship.” Both are volunteer organizations assisting state parks. The Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International is a senior citizen recreational vehicle camping group that has donated more than 4,000 hours of service to Pennsylvania State Parks since 2000. WBCCI has taken a lead role in completing park rehabilitation projects at several state parks including renovations of an historic paymaster’s house, preservation work and gardening, and numerous facelifts to facilities that would have been impossible without their help.

The Pymatuning Lake Association provides volunteer stewardship of Pennsylvania’s largest reservoir and largest state park-Pymatuning State Park, which hosts more than 3 million visitors annually. The association educates youth in fishing skills and also promotes the open space opportunities at the park through a website (www.pymatuninglake.com), magazine, and booths at sport shows. They conduct 3 fishing tournaments each year from which all proceeds go to a fish habitat fund. They also conduct other educational and cleanup activities.

Take Pride in America is a national partnership that aims to inspire a new generation of volunteers to put their love of country to work to improve our national parks, wildlife refuges, public lands, cultural and historic sites, playgrounds and other recreation areas.

“Take Pride in America has struck a chord with people all over the country and has already enlisted more than a 1 00 charter partners – including major corporations, conservation groups, service organizations, trade associations and a bipartisan coalition of state governors, senators and members of Congress,” says director Marti Alibright.

For more information and a complete list of winners, go to www.takepride.gov or Watersheds.tv.

TAKE PRIDE IN AMERICA & PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS PRESENTED TO OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS

WASHINGTON–Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton today gave national awards to 15 individuals and groups whom she named as model volunteers under the Take Pride in America campaign, which encourages citizen stewardship of public lands and resources.

Take Pride in America is part of President Bush’s USA,Freedom Corps, dedicated to fostering a culture of service to others. John Bridgeland, Director of USA Freedom Corps, presented the winners with the President’s Service Award at the ceremony, which was held in the Department of the Interior headquarters.

“These winners represent the epitome of good citizenship,” said Secretary Norton. “Just as good neighbors in the past few weeks have helped others to protect and restore their homes from Hurricane Isabel, these volunteers have helped to protect, defend and restore our nation’s natural and cultural treasures. They give all of us an example of what it means to be good stewards of our lands and our history.”

Supported by numerous private associations and organizations, Take Pride in America is a national partnership that aims to inspire a new generation of volunteers to put their love of country to work to improve our national parks, wildlife refuges, public lands, cultural and historic sites, playgrounds and other recreation areas.

Secretary Norton launched the Take Pride in America program on April 16, 2003, at the National Press Club. On June 27, Norton named Marti Allbright former chief deputy attorney general of Colorado, as the director.

“Take Pride in America has struck a chord with people all over the country and has already enlisted more than a 1 00 charter partners – including major corporations, conservation groups, service organizations, trade associations and a bipartisan coalition of state governors, senators and members of Congress,” says Alibright. Partnerships with state governments encourage federal and state land managers to cooperate in identifying volunteer opportunities and to encourage public participation in the care of public lands and resources.

Corporations, civic organizations, community groups, youth groups and individuals can participate in Take Pride in America projects and events, such as cleanup days, or they can commit blocks of volunteer service time to local restoration efforts. For more information, go to www.takepride.gov.

Take Pride in America recognizes volunteers with individual awards based on hours of service as well as the annual national awards, such as those presented today, in Recognition of outstanding stewardship in 2002. Take Pride in America received more than I 00 nominations for national award projects.

The winners were selected in six categories, including youth groups constituent organizations, educational institutions, individuals, public/private partnerships and business. They include the following:

Business Category

• Salt River Tubing and Recreation Inc. Mesa, Ariz.

Constituent Organizations

• Wally Byam Caravan Club International Camp Hill, Pa.
• Pymatuning Lake Association Espyville, Pa.
• SOLV Hillsboro, Ore.
• Massachusetts Community Water Watch Boston, Mass.

Individual Category

• Clay and Dixie Gatchel Puyallup, Wash.
• Diane Novakowski Flint, Mich.
• Joe and Befty Whitur, White River, Ariz.

Educational Institutions

• Camdenton Middle School 8th Grade Camdenton, Mo.
• Chico Junior High School Chico, Calif.

Partnerships Category

• Denali Mountaineering Volunteers Denali Park, Alaska
• New York Restoration Project New York, N.Y.
• Volunteer for Outdoor Colorado Denver, Colo.

Youth Category

• Hatchery Helpers Spearfish, S.D.
• Venture Crew 220 – Boy Scouts of America Van Nuys, Calif.