WASHINGTON —The 2006 Take Pride in America National Award recipients were honored at an awards ceremony Thursday, September 14 in Washington, D.C. The individuals and groups from across the country were recognized for their outstanding contributions to local, state and federal public lands. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, USA Freedom Corps Director Desiree Sayle and Take Pride in America Executive Director Michelle Cangelosi commended volunteers during the Department of Interior event. Clint Eastwood, Take Pride spokesman, addressed the audience via a recorded video message.
“You freely give your time and toil to make this nation great. In doing so, you have used your pride to make us all proud.,” Secretary Kempthorne told the award recipients. “You have transformed the nation’s public lands. You have made them more beautiful places, one acre at a time.”
Presented annually, the Take Pride in America national awards recognize specific volunteer projects and efforts in a variety of categories, including youth organization, corporation, public/ private partnership and individual, among others. These awards recognize events, projects and programs targeted at maintaining or enhancing public lands such as parks, rivers, wildlife refuges, cultural and historic sites, local playgrounds and other recreation areas. This year, there were 28 award recipients representing 18 states.
2006 Take Pride in America National Award Winners by Category
Federal Land Manager
- Tony Herrell, Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management; Carlsbad, NM
- Harold (Kip) Hagen, Superintendent, National Park Service; Scranton, PA
- Roy Lowe, Project Leader, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Newport, OR
- Loredana (Donna) Potter, Public Affairs Specialist, Bureau of Reclamation; Sacramento, CA
- Ruby Seitz, Wildlife Biologist, USDA Forest Service; McKenzie Bridge, OR
- K. Dewayne Shouse, Park Ranger, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Buckhorn, KY
Individual
- Deborah Goff; Westminster, MD
- Lauren Giebler; Nampa, ID
- James Keith; Brusly, LA
- Karen Smith; Jacksonville, FL
- Richard Stevens; Kealakekua, HI
Youth Organization
- PAWS (Promoting Awesome Watershed Stewardship); Dunnellon, FL
School Program
- Discovery School; Spokane, WA
- Palm Bay Elementary School;
Palm Bay, FL
- Holy Trinity Episcopal Middle School; Houston, TX
- Pi Beta Phi Elementary School; Gatlinburg, TN
Non-Profit Organization
- Citizens for a Litter-Free Choctaw County; Soper, OK
- Student Conservation Association - Invasive Species Project; Nationwide
- Black Canyon Trail Coalition; Black Canyon City, AZ
- Ardmore Beautification Council; Ardmore, OK
- Bureau of Reclamation, Yuma Area Office and Boy Scouts of America, Ocotillo District; Yuma, AZ
- Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers; Roseburg, OR
- Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Program; Austin, TX
Corporation
- Arizona Salt River Tubing & Recreation; Mesa, AZ
Faith Based Group
- Marys & Marthas; Clarion, IA
Local Government Program
- Lima-Allen County Neighborhoods in Partnership; Lima, OH
Federal Volunteer Program
- Southern Nevada Interagency Volunteer Program; Boulder City, NV
Outstanding Take Pride Supporter
- Ford Motor Company; Nationwide
Images from the awards ceremony and of the each recipient will be available at www.takepride.gov/awards/2006.cfm
About Take Pride in America®
Take Pride in America, an initiative of the U.S. Department of the Interior, is a nationwide partnership program which inspires Americans to volunteer in caring for their public lands. Their goal is to instill an active sense of ownership and responsibility in every citizen for natural, cultural and historic resources, and to support and recognize the efforts of those who volunteer for public lands. Through a web-based search engine, Take Pride offers a database for short-term and long-term volunteer projects on public lands, as well as assistance for project planning. Additionally, Take Pride rewards exceptional volunteer service by individuals and groups with awards and appreciation certificates. For more information, visit www.TakePride.gov.