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Fairfax Master Naturalists Named Cooperator of the Year
Local group recognized for their volunteer contributions
Quietly, a new cadre of volunteers has been growing in
Fairfax County. Since their beginning in December 2007, the Fairfax
Chapter of the Master Naturalists have trained their members in the field
and classroom. Their 138 active naturalists have contributed countless
volunteer hours to environmental projects.
In October, the Fairfax Master Naturalists were named the 2011 Cooperator of Year by the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD). The Conservation District recognized their partnership and the many ways they work to conserve and protect our natural resources.
"This award showcases both the leadership and the many hours that Fairfax Master Naturalists have contributed to efforts to protect the streams and natural resources in Fairfax County," said Jean Packard, NVSWCD Board Chair. She continued, "Fairfax Master Naturalists are well-informed environmental leaders in our community, and we thank them for their work."
"We are so pleased that our efforts have been recognized," said Judi Booker, Fairfax Master Naturalists president. "We have truly enjoyed working with the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, and we look forward many more years of partnership."
Fairfax Master Naturalists have partnered, volunteered and taken a leadership role with a number of prominent environmental programs with the Soil and Water Conservation District. The group was a co-sponsor/partner of the Watershed-Friendly Garden Tour in May. Members have served as organizational judges for the Fairfax County Science and Technology Fair.
Master Naturalist volunteers are long-term biological stream monitors, sampling stream bugs and critters at a number of sites around the county to measure stream health. They have also led neighborhood storm drain labeling projects to educate residents about the watershed they live in and the importance of keeping local streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay clean.
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The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District annually recognizes individuals or groups who work in partnership with the district to protect and conserve natural resources in Fairfax County. Other recent honorees include:
Jeanette Stewart is education director for
EcoStewards Alliance and president of Yorktowne Square Condominium
Association. Stewart not only is an advocate for the environment, she is
a model for environmental stewardship. NVSWCD staff has taught Stewart
much about stream restoration, stormwater management concepts, and rain
gardens. In return, she has enhanced the district’s visibility by giving
us design and implementation opportunities and expanding our outreach and
education programs. Some of our cooperative projects include the large
rain garden at Yorktowne Square, smaller rain gardens at Daniels Run
Elementary School, and nonpoint source pollution education materials.
Stewart has influenced thousands of school children and teachers in
Northern Virginia who have participated in her original Sharing Our Space
earth-based educational lessons. Stewart also created a 10,000 square
foot certified backyard wildlife habitat at Yorktowne Square.
In 2003, Diana Handy was the Reston
Association’s Watershed Manager. As a certified stream monitor, she
promotes the district’s monitoring program in the Reston area,
coordinating sites and training and certifying other volunteers. Handy
launched the Reston Watershed Action Group, leads watershed cleanups, and
assists the district in many educational and outreach programs at public
events and in high schools. In 2003, Handy worked closely with district
staff in restoring a highly eroded 200-foot stretch of Snakeden Branch.
This project marks the start of the implementation phase of the Reston
Association’s new watershed management plan. Handy was a key figure in
the development of that plan.
- Fairfax Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists, 2011 Cooperator of the Year
- B.J. Sistani, Code Analysis, DPWES, 2010 Cooperator of the Year
- Angler Environmental, 2009 Cooperator of the Year
- Jim McGlone, 2008 Cooperator of the Year
- Fairfax County Public Schools - Maintenance Division, 2007 Cooperator of the Year
- Resource Management Division, FCPA, 2006 Cooperator of the Year
- Maintenance and Stormwater Management, 2005 Cooperator of the Year
- Jeanette Stewart, 2004 Cooperator of the Year (see description above)
- Diana Handy, 2003 Cooperator of the Year (see description above)
- Laura Grape, 2002 Cooperator of the Year
- Steve Aitcheson, 2001 Cooperator of the Year
- Norma Hoffman, 2000 Cooperator of the Year
- DPWES Utilities Planning and Design, 1999 Cooperator of the Year
- Jude Okay, 1998 Cooperator of the Year
- Sherry Penney, 1997 Cooperator of the Year
- Friends of Sugarland Run, 1996 Cooperator of the Year
- Walter Hamilton, 1995 Cooperator of the Year
- Shep Oliver, 1994 Cooperator of the Year
- Supervisor Gerry Hyland, 1993 Cooperator of the Year
- Cindy Zimar; James Frazier, 1992 Cooperator of the Year
- Mrs. Hiu Newcomb, 1991 Cooperator of the Year
- Bernie Parsons, 1990 Cooperator of the Year
- Lake Barcroft Watershed Improvement District, 1989 Cooperator of the Year
- Union Camp Corporation, 1988 Cooperator of the Year
- Bill Sheads, 1987 Cooperator of the Year
- Mike Wagner, 1986 Cooperator of the Year
- Col Spalding, 1985 Cooperator of the Year
- John Koenig, 1984 Cooperator of the Year
- Joe Flakne, 1983 Cooperator of the Year
- Arlington-Fairfax Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, 1982 Cooperator of the Year
- Col. Bill Smith, 1981 Cooperator of the Year
- Shouse Homeowners Association, 1980 Cooperator of the Year
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