Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region announces Volunteer and Service Award nominees
(PORTLAND, OR)- The USDA Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Region announced the region’s 2023 Volunteer and Service Award nominees this week in advance of National Volunteer Week, which begins April 21st. A total of twelve individuals and groups from Oregon and Washington are being recognized for their outstanding service in 2023. The nominees will be considered for a Forest Service National Volunteer and Service award and winners will be announced during National Volunteer Week, according to a news release from the Forest Service.
"Congratulations to our regional volunteers and volunteer groups that will be representing the Region nationally in the Forest Service 2023 Volunteer and Service Awards," said Jacque Buchanan, Regional Forester of the Pacific Northwest Region. “As we approach National Volunteer Week, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all our volunteers and to all those who make our volunteer program work. Your unwavering dedication, passion, and selflessness are indispensable to the stewardship and preservation of our public lands. Thank you for all you do in service to our public lands and our communities."
In 2023, volunteers in the Pacific Northwest contributed to over 5% of the total volunteer hours the Forest Service tracked nationwide. More than 11,900 volunteers and service participants dedicated over 473,967 hours of service, valued at more than $10 million in Oregon and Washington alone.
Nationally, over 70,000 volunteers mobilized via the Forest Service Volunteer Program in fiscal year 2023. That is more than twice the number of Forest Service employees. Volunteers performed 2.6 million hours of service across the country; the equivalent of nearly 297 years, valued at more than $85 million.
Forest Service volunteers serve in an incredible variety of roles across all ages, demographics, and backgrounds. By assisting in resource management, leading educational outreach efforts, engaging with communities, supporting emergency response, building capacity and more, volunteers are integral to the Forest Service’s mission. Their contributions help the agency sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of our nation’s forests and grasslands.
This year’s nominees come from the Deschutes, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Olympic National Forests as well as the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. They are as follows:
Friends of the Columbia Gorge – Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area – Restoration:
Friends of the Columbia Gorge (Friends) is dedicated to protecting the scenic, natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the Columbia River Gorge. Friends has been instrumental in recruiting, training, and motivating volunteer efforts, increasing the footprint of restoration work in the Gorge through their Land Steward Program and Habitat Work Parties.
Public Land Stewards – Deschutes National Forest – Citizen Stewardship and Partnerships:
Public Land Stewards (PLS) began in 2016 with a mission of not only cleaning up dump sites in the Deschutes National Forest, but to educate and inspire others to take responsibility for maintaining “our” public lands to prevent restrictions or closures. In 2023, the PLS volunteers removed 156,000 pounds of vehicles and 300,000 pounds of trash in a combined 3,390 volunteer hours.
The Green Ridge Lookout Volunteers (GRLO) - Deschutes National Forest:
The Green River Lookout (GRLO) volunteers have provided enduring service for decades; serving the functional area of “fire prevention and education outreach,” the GRLO volunteers contributed 851 hours of time in 2023. The GRLO volunteers bring a wealth of fire management experience, diligence, and reliability to their role of detecting wildfires in the Black Butte and Metolius Meadows.
Discover Your Forest – Deschutes National Forest – Leadership:
Discover Your Forest (DYF) have maintained partnerships with the National Forests of Central Oregon for over a decade. DYF administers nine volunteer programs on the Deschutes National Forest alone, with programs including Lava River Cave Tours, Skiing and Snowshoeing with a Ranger, and Mount Bachelor Summer programs to name a few. DYF engaged 85 volunteers for a total of 5,121 volunteer hours, making over 100,000 public contacts!
Oregon Equestrian Trails; Central Oregon and West Valley Chapters – Deschutes National Forest – Enduring Service:
The Central Oregon and West Valley Chapters of Oregon Equestrian Trails have both invested significant amounts of time, funding, oversight, and diligent collaboration with the Deschutes to keep horse camps safe. The work of Oregon Equestrian Trails has been critical in the infrastructure upkeep, visitor satisfaction, and enhanced ability to serve the public!
Randal ‘Randy’ Harano – Deschutes National Forest – Enduring Service:
“Ranger Randy” can be described as the glue that holds together the busy, complex Lava River Cave site on the Newberry National Monument! Randy has been volunteering with the Deschutes National Forest since 2015, dedicating over 1,400 hours to his work. Randy forms meaningful connections with visitors to the monument, generates excitement about what the monument has to offer, and promotes safe practices.
Martha ‘Marty’ Smolenski – Deschutes National Forest – Leadership:
Marty Smolenski exemplifies the spirit of selfless leadership, passion, and outstanding dedication to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument and the Deschutes National Forest, establishing herself in her eight years as a volunteer and role model to all. Marty takes new volunteers and staff under her wing and has brought an expansion of the role of volunteers at the monument. Ranger Marty inspires Junior Rangers to respect our public lands and continue learning wherever they go!
Jim Tuchschmidt – Deschutes National Forest – Leadership:
Jim Tuchschmidt has gone above and beyond in his role season after season as a Lead Volunteer Wilderness Ranger in the Deschutes. Jim has been an outstanding leader in ensuring Volunteer Rangers and the public have a safe, rewarding, and smooth season. In 2023, Jim also volunteered with his horse Willy to pack in tools and supplies to assist a major hazard mitigation project.
Richard Nix – Deschutes National Forest – Enduring Service:
Richard Nix of the Friends of the Central Cascades Wilderness (FCWW) has been dedicated to supporting the Deschutes and Willamette National Forests. Richard Nix and the FCWW funded and constructed a new Trailhead Host Cabin for the Deschutes this past year, which has been a wonderful asset for the Wilderness Program, volunteers, and the public.
Mountains to Sound Greenway – Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest – Citizen Stewardship and Partnerships:
The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust has been a key partnership for well over a decade, working towards their mission to lead and inspire action to conserve and enhance the landscape of the Mountains to Sound Greenway. Creating collaborative efforts with the public, Greenway Trust has funded road paving projects, help developed a long-term strategy for road maintenance, and helped the Forest Service make major improvements in recreational access and opportunities.
Larry Baysinger – Olympic National Forest – Enduring Service:
Larry Baysinger began volunteering with the Forest Service in the 1980’s with the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington Mt. Olympus chapter and is an incredibly generous and outstanding volunteer. Among many volunteer tasks, Larry continues to run and fund his Backcountry Horsemen chapter, organizes an annual education event for stock and mountain bike users, and educates the public on Leave No Trace principles.
Rebecca Wanagel – Olympic National Forest – Leadership:
Rebecca Wanagel leads the Gray Wolf Trail crew and is the leader of the Peninsula chapter of Backcountry Horsemen of Washington. Rebecca has consistently advocated for better access to trails for the public and enabling stock access to the backcountry to maintenance. In 2023, she organized 30 work parties for volunteers to better trails, creating a productive relationship between the Gray Wolf Trail Crew and the BCHW Peninsula.