FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Contacts: Sandy Bahr, sandy.bahr@sierraclub.org, (602) 253-8633
Sierra Club Announces its 2018 Volunteer Appreciation Awards
PHOENIX – On Sunday, November 18, on a beautiful day in South Mountain Park, Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter recognized the work of some of its outstanding volunteers and partners in conservation. From organizing and leading service projects, to testifying in legislative committees, and organizing and conducting canvassing for candidates, these volunteers have made a difference in our state for environmental protection.
Arizona-based artist RAEchel Running was recognized for her work on Lens on the Border, helping to bring the beauty and unmatched value of borderlands people, landscapes, and wildlife to our communities through art, which is now available on banners that can travel around Arizona and the country.
Also in the category of advancing conservation with art, Greg Pentkowski received a Special Achievement Award for providing a comic strip, Beyond the Slab, for Sierra Club’s Canyon Echo Newsletter. It highlights important issues including the impacts of uranium mining and nuclear power, and protection of public lands, including Grand Canyon.
Jim Vaaler received the Grand Canyon Chapter 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award for his vital and active work to protect Arizona’s public lands since the 1970s. He served Sierra Club in a multitude of capacities and was instrumental in protecting Arizona wilderness areas, and continues to be a watchdog for these beautiful and threatened places.
Steve Pawlowski was the first Arizona Water Sentinels Coordinator for Sierra Club. He came to work for Sierra Club so he could advocate strongly for rivers and streams, and advocate he did, helping to build a solid Arizona Water Sentinels program. In Steve’s memory, Sierra Club periodically gives an award to someone who has gone above and beyond to help Arizona rivers. Kris Wolfe is such a person. She has shown great leadership as coordinator for the Sustainable Water Work Group, a coalition of more than 30 organizations that is seeking to win passage of a bill to establish and protect ecological flows in Arizona rivers.
Dale Volz is a leader and demonstrated that again this last election cycle as the Grand Canyon Chapter Political Committee Chair, where he helped to develop a plan for engaging in elections, recruited a strong committee, and organized and facilitated development and review of questionnaires, interviews, endorsements, and activities to support endorsed candidates. Just getting through the endorsement process is a monumental task – he did it with grace, good humor, and strong leadership. The efforts of Dale Volz as chair of the Political Committee fully supports his selection for the 2018 Leadership Award from the Grand Canyon Chapter.
Tricia Gerrodette has been an activist on conservation for decades, but Sierra Club recognized her as the 2018 Conservationist of the Decade for her work on rivers and especially the San Pedro River. She has gone to dozens and dozens of meetings and hearings, filed litigation, testified on bills, helped with legislation, and done many educational talks so people can better understand the threats to our rivers and how they can help to protect them.
Wild at Heart is a raptor rescue organization, helping to rehabilitate injured or sick raptors. Sierra Club recognized their amazing work with burrowing owls, helping to rescue them from the path of development, housing them, and relocating them, using the utmost care to try and maximize their success, earning Wild at Heart the Grand Canyon Chapter’s 2018 Environmental Partner Award.
Sierra Club also recognized the following individuals for their outstanding efforts:
Joe Shannon for his work to revive and invigorate the Flagstaff-Northern Arizona Group. He demonstrates that persistence and passion really pay off.
Urb Weidner for his efforts to work with other conservation organizations and public lands managers to accomplish a wide range of service events -- from clean-ups, to critical data gathering for Water Sentinels, and participating in a long-standing GPS mapping project of Rackensack Canyon.
Roz Switzer for her outstanding service on behalf of the Mexican Gray Wolf – showing up at Game and Fish meetings and public hearings, setting up talks and film screenings, lobbying the legislature and congress, and much more.
Sally Howland for organizing and leading monthly breakfast informational meetings and associated hikes with one of the local groups.
Stephanie Vazquez with an Outstanding Youth Award due to all of her great work during the legislative session and her passionate work for environmental protection and justice.
Rebecca Hinton as Conservationist of the Year for her work to promote environmental protection in the political process – from Environmental Day at the Capitol, to phone and text banking and canvassing door-to-door, she kept the environment front and center for many elected officials.
Chris Gehlker for his work Behind the Scenes to help promote action on climate change through political advocacy.
We also recognized Cathy Williams for her 50 years as a Sierra Club member, Dale and Christine Volz for 25 years of membership, and Dan Millis for 10 years of continuous membership.
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