Volunteer Hours County Up

Volunteers Help to Fulfill FWS Mission

By Janice Ba

Like the resource it seeks to protect, wildlife conservation must be dynamic, changing as conditions change, seeking always to become more effective….
Rachel Carson

On May 1st Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge celebrated the accomplishments and dedication of its volunteers at its annual volunteer banquet held at the Speak Easy in Detroit Lakes. The theme for the evening centered around the 100th anniversary of the birth of Rachel Carson, one of the world’s foremost leaders in conservation. In the spirit of her book The Sense of Wonder, awards were given out to those volunteers reaching certain milestones. Tamarac volunteers have shared their sense of wonder with our many visitors and in conversations with the refuge staff. Whether they are leading a refuge tour, teaching children how to view and respect wildlife, welcoming visitors at the front desk, counting loons, or building wildlife observation decks, they are making a difference in the lives of our visitors and in turn the wildlife that call Tamarac home.

On a national level, the USFWS volunteer program was initiated in 1978 under the Wildlife Improvement Act and was later enhanced through the Volunteer and Community Partnership Act of 1988. This act was reauthorized in 2004 – and enabled the refuge system to expand its volunteer program with an emphasis on environmental education and community based partnerships with Friends Organizations. The program has grown substantially over the years. In 1982, there were 4250 volunteers. In 2005, there were over 38,000 volunteers who donated over 1.5 million hours valued at 25 million dollars! In 2006, Tamarac had 209 volunteers (including groups) donate over 3860 hours valued at over $25,000.00. Currently we have 56 volunteers who donate their time on a regular basis. Recognition of hours follows national guidelines starting at 25 and 50 hours with increments of 100 hundred hours up to 1000 hours. After 1000 hours the scale then moves up to 500 hour increments. Volunteers who have reached 500 and 1000 hours are eligible to be nominated for the Assistant Regional Director’s Award and the Regional Director’s Award respectively. A national volunteer of the year is selected every year by the National Wildlife Refuge Association and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Record keeping is crucial. At the end of each fiscal year, annual reports are submitted to the regional office regarding number of volunteers, cumulative hours and hours per category such as wildlife and habitat, environmental education etc. Highlights of each station’s volunteer activities are submitted and are also essential in demonstrating the value of the Refuge System’s Volunteer Program. These reports are used in communications such as congressional reports, briefings and public outreach opportunities. Funding for a station’s program is determined in part by these annual reports.

In reference to Rachel Carson’s quote, one of the ways the FWS has become more effective in fulfilling its mission is through its volunteer program and partnerships with Friends Groups like the Tamarac Interpretive Association. Congratulations to the volunteers who were recognized this year and a big thank you to all of you who share your sense of wonder and enthusiasm for Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge.