Protectors of Tule Springs receives prestigious George and Helen Hartzog Award presented by National Park Service for volunteer efforts supporting Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument. After receiving the regional award this summer, Protectors of Tule Springs competed against other regional winners to receive the national award. Protectors of Tule Springs Board President Jill DeStefano and Vice President Sandy Croteau accepted the award at a National Park Service (NPS) ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, August 22, 2019. Erin Eichenberg, NPS Integrated Resource Manager for Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument (TUSK), also attended the event. TUSK is a newer park that is just beginning the management planning process and has only four full-time employees. The purpose of the Hartzog awards is to honor volunteers’ hard work, draw attention to their vast skills and contributions, and to stimulate development of innovative projects and volunteer involvement. The awards distinguish those individuals or groups who gave of their skills, talents, and time beyond the normal call of duty during the previous fiscal year ending September 30, 2018. DeStefano credits the work of Protectors volunteers for the award. “To receive this level of national recognition is a testament to the deep commitment and hard work of our small but mighty volunteer team. Our founding members spent more than eight years raising awareness for the need to protect these lands, and since the Monument was established almost five years ago, our Board and extended team of volunteers have spent thousands of hours in cleanup efforts, trail building, fundraising, educational outreach, legislative support, fence patrol and anything else you can imagine.” Congratulations to all Protectors on this amazing recognition! Read the National Park Service press release See all the 2018 Hartzog Award winners
ICYMI: National Recognition for Protectors Volunteers!
