Friends of Blackwater NWR - FOB 2003 Group of the Year

The Friends of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge has been selected by the National Wildlife Refuge Association and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation as the 2003 Refuge Friends Group of the Year.

The Friends Group of the Year is awarded annually to a Friends organization that demonstrates innovation and excellence in advancing the mission of the Refuge System, provides a positive community influence, works as an independent advocate to protect the natural resource, and strives to influence support for the local refuge and the Refuge System as a whole. In a letter addressed to Ron Tillier, President of FOB, Evan Hirsche, President of the National Wildlife Refuge Association stated: "We feel the Friends of Blackwater has thoroughly met this criteria and the group is indeed a worthy recipient of this award." Evan also explained that: "This year’s award committee carefully reviewed all the nominations and was impressed by all the fine work being done by Friends groups across the nation. They were especially impressed by your group’s achievements at both the Blackwater NWR and the Chesapeake Marshlands NWRC and by the group’s dedication to the National Wildlife Refuge System."

The Friends of Blackwater would like to thank our volunteers, our members, the staff at Blackwater NWR, organizations who work with us providing grant monies, and members of the public who turn out for our special events, for you have all made this award possible. Congratulations to everyone!

News Release:

Friends of Blackwater Awarded National Friends Group of the Year

FOB President Ron Tillier and
Blackwater NWR Manager Glenn Carowan with award

The Friends of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge were awarded the National Friends Group of the Centennial Year 2003 at a reception in Washington DC on Saturday, February 1, 2003. Attending the Centennial Refuge Friends Conference, Ron Tillier, President of the Friends of Blackwater, accepted the award from John Berry, Director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Evan Hirsche, president of the National Wildlife Refuge Association, co-sponsor of the award, read a congratulatory letter from Congressman Gilchrest. Tony Lawrence from Senator Mikulski's office also presented the Friends Group with a citation.

The Friends of Blackwater were recognized as the top Friends Group in the country for their innovation and excellence in advancing the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System; providing positive relationships in the community; protecting our natural resources; organizing, mentoring, and collaborating with other Friends Groups and the National Wildlife Refuge Association in promoting Friends Organizations and Service programs; cultivating excellent relationships with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel; and adhering to the highest ethical standards.

A few of the Friend's accomplishments leading to the recognition include:

Annually contributed the equivalent of 7.5 full-time employees to refuge projects.

Partnered with the Dorchester County Garden Club to construct a native plant butterfly and beneficial insect garden.

Restored/created 15 acres emergent marsh on Barren Island and coordinated the 450 volunteer/multiagency partnership effort valued at $500,000.

Installed a low power AM radio advisory station in cooperation with the Eastern Shore/Dorchester County Offices of Tourism, County Commission, and private businesses to benefit 6 million annual motorists on Route 50.

Annually published and distributed their quarterly newsletter, Blackwater Tidelines, to 1,100 people locally, nationally, and internationally.

Developed the first Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network grant received by a Service organization through the National Park Service, and consistently has received up to $30,000 in grants annually (resulting in three canoe trails, a parking area, canoe launching site, new interpretive exhibits, two walking trails, and a photo blind) leveraging funds with 10 partners.

Administered refuge hunting programs providing more than 3,000 hunting opportunities annually.

Supported major refuge events including the upcoming Centennial Eagle Festival.

Refuge Manager Glenn Carowan said, "The 800 members of the Friends of Blackwater bring incredible passion, dedication, skill, knowledge, and friendship to this refuge, to this staff, and to this community. Traveling around the country and mentoring to other refuges who are not nearly as fortunate as we are, has greatly heightened my appreciation for what our volunteers do and the value of the close relationships we've developed. I could not be more pleased that our Friends Group has been selected from more than 250 Friends Groups in the country as the Friends Group of the Year during the 100th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System! Because of their dedication, persistence, and determination, we continue to prosper and achieve things that few other refuges in the System are capable of. I am truly overwhelmed with pride and emotion when I reflect on their many accomplishments."

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and National Wildlife Refuge Association also presented the National Volunteer of the Year Award to Dr. James Montgomery, a volunteer at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. Dr. Montgomery donated over 10,000 hours of his time collecting, analyzing, and documenting biological data while working full time as a biology professor at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell. He was also instrumental in organizing the Friends of Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge over 2 years ago, and now serves as Treasurer for the organization.

The Friends of Blackwater is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that meets once a month at Blackwater NWR headquarters. They welcome members and new volunteers to help them in their outstanding contributions to Blackwater NWR and our nation's wildlife resources. For information about joining or volunteering, please see the Friends page.