Friends of Nevada Wilderness will be celebrating individuals and organizations who played a special part in our 2011 field season. These awardees will be honored at the Wilderness Wingding at the Grand Sierra Resort in the Tahoe Room. The celebration begins at 6 pm with an awards ceremony at 7 pm on Friday, December 16, 2011. This event is open to the public.
2011 Volunteer of the Year – Scott HallScott was an integral part of the success of the 2011 stewardship season. This year alone, he completed eight projects, became certified in cross-cut saw use, attended two trail maintenance courses and obtained a government driver’s license. Scott, as a volunteer trip captain, led several trips. Friends is in the process of elevating volunteers to higher levels of responsibility within our stewardship program, and Scott’s dedication is the blueprint for the essential role that a volunteer can play in protecting our cherished places.
Agency Partnership of the Year – US Fish and Wildlife Service (Desert and Sheldon Wildlife Refuges)The US Fish and Wildlife Service was instrumental in helping Friends of Nevada Wilderness lead an Alternative Spring Break trip for UNR students to the Pahranagat and Desert National Wildlife Refuges in southern Nevada and remove over 75 miles of barbed wire fence from the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge.
Agency Person of the Year – Carol Reott Hotchkiss – US Forest ServiceCarol Reott Hotchkiss, Recreation Planner for the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, provided immeasurable support for developing a very successful interagency partnership with Friends of Nevada Wilderness. Her guidance and vision played a key role in setting up a crew of Student Conservation Association interns to do extensive wilderness monitoring in southern Nevada.
Corporate Partner of the Year – REIREI has been instrumental in supporting Friends of Nevada Wilderness over the years. In 2011, REI generously supported a two-week project to re-route the trail to the summit of Griffith Peak and many other wilderness stewardship projects throughout the state.
Ruler of the Spooler Award – Bill JamesA long time supporter and wilderness volunteer, Bill James, designed, built and donated two ingenious barbed wire spoolers that were used to remove over 75 miles of barbed wire in the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, improving wildlife habitat.
Group Partner of the Year – Nevada Outdoor SchoolWorking in partnership with the BLM and Friends of Nevada Wilderness, the Nevada Outdoor School has hosted a "Kid's Camp" since 2006 to engage youth and allow parent-volunteers to work on stewardship projects during the Black Rock Rendezvous, National Public Lands Days and other projects.
Blue Helmet Awardees – volunteers who attended at least three trips over the 2011 season: David Book, Elyse Briski, Don Brown, Danielle Cotte, Larry Dwyer, Matthew “Metric” Ebert, John Fiske, John and Hermi Hiatt, Dorothy Hudig, Gordon Jackson, Paul Jackson, Dylan Kuhn, Martin Mace, Barry and Kathy Morgan, Susan Murphy, Anthony Rivera, Dick Ross, Darcy Shepard, Jim Switalla, Chuck Thomas, Mike Thorson, Joe Trujillo.
In 2011, volunteers worked on over 100 projects, giving 9,500 hours and donating a total of $223,236 of in-kind labor to Nevada’s wild lands. Please join us in celebrating the volunteers and members who made it possible.
Attendees packed the Tahoe Room at the Grand Sierra Resort! (all photos by Marcial Reiley)
Membership Coordinator Richard Knox greets volunteers and supporters
Mingling...
...and munching!
Stewardship Director Pat Bruce takes the stage
While a rapt audience watches.
Susan Lisagor from Senator Harry Reid's office thanks volunteers
Partnership of the Year - US Fish and Wildlife Service (Sheldon and Desert Refuges)
Group Partner of the Year - Nevada Outdoor School
Special Recognition - Law Office of Demetras and O'Neill and Black Rock Bicycles
Blue Helmet Gals!
Volunteer of the Year Scott Hall
Agency Person of the Year - Carol Reott Hotchkiss, US Forest Service
A pack string will bring up water for the trail crew.
And they're off! Check back for regular updates on the team's progress! 
The official ribbon cutting
Learning about the journey westard
Over 30 volunteers came out to Badger Campground in the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge to pull fence that was blocking antelope migratory routes and wildlife water access.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness teamed up with the Oregon Natural Desert Association to take out almost four miles of fence in five hours - most of the fence had five strands of wire - that's a total of 20 miles rolled and bundled!
After their hard work, the team was treated to bowls of Dutch oven Jambalaya, a hearty stew prepared by Sheena Britschgi. 
Thanks again for all your hardwork - the antelope appreciate it!
