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National Park Service and Bureau of Reclamation
U.S. Department of the Interior
TULE SPRINGS FOSSIL BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT News Release
For Immediate Release: July 29, 2019
Release No.: 2019-02
Contact: 702-515-5462
Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument Volunteers Receive Regional Recognition
Photos by Melinda M. Goodro
LAS VEGAS – The Protectors of Tule Springs were presented the National Park Service Pacific West Region 2019 George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service July 27.
The purpose of the Hartzog awards is to honor volunteers’ hard work, draw attention to their vast skills and contributions, and to stimulate development of innovative projects and volunteer involvement. The award distinguishes those individuals or groups who have provided skills, talents and time beyond the normal call of duty during the previous fiscal year, ending Sept. 30, 2018.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area Superintendent Margaret L. Goodro and Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument Integrated Resources Program Manager Erin Eichenberg presented the regional award to Protectors of Tule Springs President Jill DeStefano.
"The work of the Protectors of Tule Springs cannot be understated. Because of their dedication and hard work, the area is a national monument and part of the National Park System,” said Goodro. “The Protectors have donated more than 40,000 volunteer hours to the monument and have assisted park staff with almost every aspect of park operations.
“I was honored to present the award to the Protectors on behalf of Regional Director Stan Austin,” she added.
The mission of Protectors of Tule Springs is to increase community understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument and neighboring public lands and to support programs for the interpretation and protection of their resources.
“This group of volunteers was instrumental in the establishment of Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument and the development of the park’s resource management program, including eight volunteer-based resource management projects,” said Austin in the formal announcement.
“Protectors of Tule Springs also provided an enormous amount of assistance to the park with public outreach and education, such as helping to develop interpretive materials and conducting guided hikes.”
During the award ceremony, another volunteer was recognized. Tahoe Mack, a Girl Scout and recent high school graduate, has spent the past several years constructing a life-size mammoth out of recycled materials that have been removed from the park during clean ups.
The Protectors of Tule Springs partnered with Mack to fundraise and design the statue, working with local artists, elected officials, the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe, tourism leaders, the U.S. Air Force and others.
The statue will formidably stand at one of the park entrances to welcome people to Tule Springs.
Other recipients of the regional award include Dean Benjamin, a volunteer at Channel Islands; Maya Chari, a youth volunteer at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area; the In My Backyard Program at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and Ralph Waycott, a 25-year volunteer at Santa Monica National Recreation Area.
The nominees will now compete with the other National Park Service regional recipients for selection of the national award winners.
Last updated: July 30, 2019