|
Conservation Activist Award -- Larry Klaasen
Larry began his crusade of tamarisk removal by working with desert rangers to eradicate this pest in places like Carrizo Falls. He then organized several work parties with the Metro park rangers in order to clear Florida Canyon of this weed after spotting it locally one day. Working with the rangers has not been easy, and Larry deserves credit for persevering on this project without enthusiastic support. Florida Canyon has been easy to overlook by others, but Larry sees the possibilities for this urban open space.
Rainbow Warrior Award -- Shannon Davis
Shannon organized and led two demonstrations to bring attention to the planned reopening of the Sorrento Valley Road. She gave media interviews, attended hearings, wrote letters and comments, chaired the Wildlife Committee, and brought other chapter committees into the fray.
Emily Durbin Award -- Rick Landavazo
Rick organized and founded Friends of Hellhole Canyon and published a newsletter on environmental issues in Valley Center, enhancing a dialogue between stakeholders. He kept the Land Use Committee apprised of issues during this time.
Edward Abbey Award -- Don Simon
Don spent twelve years as a BLM Law Enforcement Ranger for the BLM’s El Centro Resource Area/Field Office, covering BLM lands in San Diego and Imperial counties. He has been a tremendous resource in efforts to protect archaeological and cultural resources and especially answering questions about mining laws and mining claims...specifically, information related to the Imperial Project gold mine which Dept. of the Interior Secretary Babbitt recently denied. Don and his wife Lee Ann Renfro, a botanist, have offered friendship and inspiration over the years that made efforts to protect public lands in Imperial County seem both possible and worthwhile.
Verna Quinn Award (1) -- Larry Hogue
Larry has been volunteering to protect the desert with the California Wild Heritage Campaign for two years. He is an expert on Anza Borrego Desert State Park and has written the wonderful book entitled "All the Wild and Lonely Places" about the landscape and the people who have inhabited this desert.
Larry adopted the Table Mtn potential wilderness area and has explored, studied, and created a portfolio for the area. He has taken interested participants there to teach them about the precious resources that are present, and he’s worked with managers of the BLM and Anza Borrego Desert State Park towards the area’s improved protection and management. As a writer he created materials about the local wilderness campaign. He is currently serving as the co-chair of our Chapter’s Forest & Wilderness Committee.
Verna Quinn Award (2) -- Terry Weiner
Terry has been involved in many aspects of land protection over the years. She became a member of the Land Use Committee in 1997, and has been co-chair since 1999. She has done an outstanding job of researching the issues and taking action to protect San Diego County open space from development. She is also a lover of the desert and has worked hard for desert protection along with Edie Harmon, protecting the Algodones Dunes from damaging Off- Road Vehicle uses and many other desert issues. Terry has contributed greatly to our local chapter with her outstanding conservation activism.
She was on the SE Planning Commission. Head of the Parks committee and started the Legal Committee and chaired the Conservation Com. He said she was warm, had a sense of humor, was the matriarch of the club for years as a strong environmental advocate.
Environmental Journalism Award -- Terry Rodgers
Terry is the Coastal Issues reporter for the Union-Tribune. He writes consistently fair, balanced coverage of environmental interest, especially water in beaches and bays.
Environmental Law Award -- Bill Curtiss
Bill is an attorney with the Earth Justice Legal Defense Fund who has done outstanding work for years on both the Mesquite Landfill and Land Exchange lawsuits in Imperial County, setting precedent for land exchanges in the western United States, Alaska and Hawaii. Bill concurred that the appraisal and exchange aspects of BLM's Record of Decision to approve the landfill were major issues, and he agreed to take the issue to federal court. While still pending resolution, in the interim the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the "flagrantly undervalued" real estate appraisal of the BLM and overturned the land eschange.Bill won a tremendous victory for all who are dealing with public land exchanges. He has been a real hero and inspiration for many years.
Business Conservation Award -- John Mead, President of Adventure 16
Adventure 16 has provided years of support for a variety of issues, including Cleveland National Forest preservation and assistance with funding of the Julia Butterfly Hill event on May 11. A-16 is a strong supporter of the Cleveland National Forest Foundation, and provided valuable support for the successful Forest Conservation Initiative in the early 90's. Under John Mead's leadership, A-16 has contributed in many ways to the protection of, and the education about, our natural resources.
Grassroots Activist Award -- Eric Bowlby
Eric has worked tirelessly on many issues for many committees, specifically Wetlands (Coastal), Mission Bay Park (Land Use), CEQA (various), General Plan (2020), Sorrento Valley Road (Wildlife), urban runoff (Water), and Zero Emissions Vehicles (Transportation/Air Quality). Eric also served as Chapter Chair and media spokesperson while a political activist. He has clocked countless hours of professional work on issues, while working closely with city/county jurisdictions to effect protection and strong environmental regulations.
Rookie Activist of the Year Award (1) -- Abby Ackroyd-Rafkin
Abby joined the Coastal Committee and began a review of environmental documents almost immediately. She aggressively pursued training, such as attending an all-day seminar on CEQA, and she reviewed our policies, drafting comments and following through in every way. She has taken a lead role on transit issues and has represented the Club at countless meetings. She also serves regular hours supporting the Chapter office and bookstore, and conservation activities at the Club. Abby increases her understanding of environmental issues through taking courses at UCSD.
Rookie Activist of the Year Award (2) -- Larry Osen
Larry was involved in both the La Mirada Canyon and Cerro de las Posas golf course proposals. Has formed Friends groups for these two projects, to stop them. Larry also serves on the San Marcos Trails Council. He is an example of a local citizen who, upon seeing a problem in his own neighborhood, decided to jump in and do something about it. He is learning the process as he goes, and mobilizing grassroots support for the effort. As a teacher of Human Geography at San Marcos High Shool, he has shown dozens of students how to run a grassroots campaign.
Unsung Hero Award (1) -- Gregory Gross
Greg has volunteered generously with various groups within the Chapter when they’ve needed a hand, most notably the Singles Section and the Election Committee. He does a tremendous amount of volunteer work around the office, including computer systems backup support when the Information Technology Committee is not available. He has also done some entertaining for the NKW potlucks and has helped with the Awards ceremonies.
Unsung Hero Award (2) -- Jim Ricker
Jim is the main secretary for the Land Use Committee and as such, performs many administrative tasks for the group; from writing letters to editors to occasionally chairing the Land Use Committee.
Jim always shows up on Earth Day to work at the Sierra Club booth. He gives testimony at public hearings and has served as Sierra Club representative for the Zoo Expansion Citizens’ Task Force. He also served as an alternate on the Environmental Systems Subcommittee of the city-wide Sewer Maintenance in Canyons Task Force.
Currently, Jim is working with Students for the Environment at SDSU and recently assisted Connie Garcia and the Border Committee on the 12th annual Walk for Human Rights last year.
Student Volunteer of the Year Award -- Samantha Freeland
Samantha is a college student pursing an environmental degree at San Diego State. She has been involved in the California Wild Heritage Campaign for two years, beginning as a student intern. She adopted the Sawtooth Mtns Wilderness Additions (located in our local desert) and then explored them and created the first portfolio for our campaign in San Diego. Since then she has attended the Wilderness Conference, a regional meeting to speak for the Sawtooth Mtns Additions, and contacted many businesses, groups, and private property owners to ask them to write letters of support. She has been a dedicated, inspiring, and effective conservation activist for protecting wilderness and rivers.
Computer Support Award -- Lee Olsen
Lee has provided his professional level of service to our chapter as chair of our Information Technology Committee. He has assumed responsibility for supporting and maintaining all of our computer systems in the office, drawing upon the resources of other committee volunteers. Having reliable computer systems is crucial to our chapter's operation, and Lee has gone above and beyond the call to tackle extremely complicated and persistent challenges.
Bookstore Volunteer of the Year Award -- Natalie Coller
Natalie has handled all of the purchasing and inventory management for the Bookstore for over seven years. Natalie's work represents the heart and soul of the Bookstore, and we can always count on her to have the right books at the right time.
Outdoor Education Award -- Claude Edwards
Claude has more than 20 years of continuous service at our Chapter’s Nature Knowledge Workshops. He has led nature walks and insect identification seminars, both day and night. Claude has assisted Lee Siegel in the planning and conduct of NKWs over the years.
One Club Award (1) -- Cindy Buxton
Cindy has been leading outings and being an activist for the California Wild Heritage Campaign for the past 2 1/2 years. By leading these Conservation Outings she is helping protect 20 potential wilderness areas and four wild and scenic rivers in San Diego County. She has adopted the Eagle Peak Potential Wilderness Complex. She has explored and become an expert on all five units: the San Diego River Gorge, Cedar Creek, No Name, Eagle Peak and Sill Hill potential wilderness areas. She has taken many volunteers to these areas and helped them get involved in the campaign. In addition, she has made contacts with the local Native American tribes to ask for their ideas and support. She models how a person can help the earth by being an outings and conservation leader.
One Club Award (2) -- Pauline Jimenez
Pauline has recently accepted the position of Chair of the Hi-Sierran Committee, after doing an excellent job as Outings Editor for the Hi-Sierran for several years, a position she still holds. She also serves as Secretary of the Outings Committee in addition to being a COL for the Chapter since 1993, leading trips for WBC and the bus trip program, and lecturing on the staff of WBC. As Chair of the Hi-Sierran Committee, Pauline is working to increase the presence of outings in this publication as a way to expose more people to the areas which the Sierra Club is committed to preserve and protect.
Special Appreciation Award / Foster Lodge (1) -- Christine Cuprys
Christine is the Foster Lodge Committee’s longest continuous member, for 16 years. She’s served as interim chair, co-chair, host and event scheduler, and interim secretary. She has attended all fundraisers, as well as been in charge of a good number of them, and participated in nearly all work parties over her term on the committee.
Special Appreciation Award / Foster Lodge (2) -- Dan Perkins
While serving as Foster Lodge Maintenance Chair, Dan has contributed an enormous amount of time and service to the upkeep and improvement of the Lodge. In addition, he has lectured at Lodge fundraiser events on topics such as sprouting, energy conservation, and composting. His technical skills have been invaluable in improving the Lodge as a facility for all to use. Dan also serves on other local chapter committees.
Special Appreciation Award / Outings (1) -- Jim Matlock
Jim became an Outings Leader in 1995 and since then has contributed immeasurably to the Outings Program of our Chapter. He currently serves as Chair of the Outings Committee and Program Chair for the Wilderness Basics Course, and has been an active leader for the Focus on Youth Section. Jim contributes not only tremendous amounts of time and energy to these endeavors, but also dispenses wisdom with a gentle hand. While Outings Chair and WBC Program Chair are each full-time jobs in themselves, Jim never lets the ball drop or seems to get short-tempered under the weight of these gigantic responsibilities. Jim has also increased effective communication among the Outings Committee, ExCom and other chapter entities, while dealing with conservation concerns.
Special Appreciation Award / Outings (2) -- Mac Downing
Mac has been the person to secure wilderness permits for all the chapter backpack bus trips from 1988 to 2000, introducing both Horseshoe and Kennedy Meadows as trailheads for these trips. He has had to stay informed of the constantly changing rules and procedures for all the agencies involved in order to effectively perform this job, and the bus trip program could not have succeeded without his expertise. Mac was also a COL II and backpack leader in the past, and is now “semi-retired” as a COL I, leading dayhikes for the Wednesday in the Mtns Section. Mac was on the Sierra Club National Trips Staff for 25 years, leading 15 National Outing backpacks during that time.
Special Appreciation Award / Outings (3) -- Allan Fein
Allan has been a driving force behind the revitalization of the Inner City Outings group. As an outings leader himself at the COL II level, he has actively encouraged other leaders to be a part of this program, spreading the word at all Outings Committee functions. He has attended various ICO conferences out of town using his own funds, to acquire more knowledge about how to make our local program successful. Allan became a COL in 1994 and is on staff and serves as an outings leader for the North County WBC program.
Special Appreciation Award / Outings (4) -- Dennis Richards
Dennis held the position of chair of the Leadership Review and Safety Committee for the last two years and did an excellent job in that capacity. He currently serves as chair of the Mountaineering Section, after working tirelessly the last couple of years to revive a once active but recently dormant group within the Outings Section. In this capacity, he works with others to provide opportunities for snow and rock proficiency certification, sharpening skills for both leaders and participants. Dennis has been an outings leader since 1990 and is a COL II. He leads trips from Basic to Advanced, both locally and in the Sierras.
Special Appreciation Award / Outings (5) -- Starla Rivers
Starla became a COL in 1995 and has been an active and enthusiastic volunteer for the Outings Committee, and the chapter, in one capacity or another since then. She has served as Outings Chair of the Sierra Singles; been on the staff of the Walk for the Environment; is a staff lecturer, outings assistant and Snow Camp Coordinator for WBC, has led and continues to lead and assist outings for the chapter and the bus trip program as a COL II, currently serves as COL newsletter editor, and in general is willing to assume responsibility whenever required by the Outings Committee.
Special Appreciation Award / Cross-Country Ski Section -- Barbara Domurad
Barbara has assembled, published, addressed and mailed the XC Ski Section newsletter for the last five years, at 900 to 1,000 copies an issue. She is a COL I who has helped with beginner ski instruction, and made countless gourmet meals in the backcountry for her companions on bus trip outings. As an RN and cook she has assisted in both of the chapter’s Standard and Wilderness First Aid classes. Barbara has coordinated countless ski bus trips, and assisted on many ski outings over the years.
COL Emeritus -- Norm Fein
Norm became an outings leader in 1991, and has been active in the North County Singles group for close to a decade, leading dayhikes primarily in the North County inland area. Norm made the decision to retire from active leading at the end of 2000, and will continue to participate in chapter outings and serve as an assistant when he can.
COL Longevity Award (25 Years) -- Bob Muldrew
Bob became an Outings Leader in 1975 and has remained an active member of the Outings Section during the past 25 years. He has led countless dayhikes and overnight trips for the Focus on Youth section, introducing the joys of hiking and an appreciation for the outdoors to many children over the years. Bob also serves as the Evaluator Coordinator for the Outings Committee, assisting leader trainees in finding appropriate evaluators for their trips.
Bob became an Outings Leader in 1975 and has remained an active member of the Outings Section during the past 25 years. He has led countless dayhikes and overnight trips for the Focus on Youth section, introducing the joys of hiking and an appreciation for the outdoors to many children over the years. Bob also serves as the Evaluator Coordinator for the Outings Committee, assisting leader trainees in finding appropriate evaluators for their trips.
Special Achievement Award -- Sierra Singles Board 2000
Brad Buffett, Sandy Cortez, Bill Evans, Clayton Holstun, Wanda Jackson, Lori Koller, Denise Lackey, Tammy Larson, Greg Moll, Spock Puzo, Patty Sammons and Kurt Weiss.
Each of the members just named has played a major role in resurrecting a section that was in danger of becoming inactive during the past year, after boasting a membership of over 1,000 in years past. Each has worked very hard to stabilize and strengthen the Sierra Singles. They hung in there when things appeared bleak, kept a postive attitude and re-established the section into a fun, lively and enthusiastic group.
Special Achievement Award / Foster Lodge -- Patrick Jones
As Foster Lodge chair, Patrick has put in hundreds of hours of work. His efforts have resulted in an increase in volunteer involvement, something that is essential to keeping the Lodge in working order. Both cabins now have new roofs, a long-overdue improvement. The grounds have been brushed and cleaned for fire protection after years of neglect. The inside and outside of both cabins have been painted and cleaned, along with too many other improvements to mention.
Distinguished Achievement Award / Conservation -- Joanne Pearson
In addition to building and running an effective Coastal Committee, Joanne has represented the Club at countless City Council and Planning Committee meetings; defending our shorelines from seawalls and private encroachment, and defending the Coastal Act and insisting on its enforcement. She has been the only environmental representative on the city’s Development Code Monitoring Team, reviewing new and proposed hillside and floodplain regulations, and working tirelessly on many other issues.
Distinguished Achievement Award / Outings -- Mike Fry
As the Bus Trips Coordinator since 1981, Mike has organized countless memorable adventures for Chapter participants over the years . With both winter xc ski trips and summer backpacking trips totaling at least five per year during this time, Mike has also been a leader on each of the trips, a great testament to his passion and commitment to this program. These trips currently generate between $3,000 to $5,000 per year in profit for the Outings Committee and ultimately, the Chapter.
Mike also established and continues to coordinate an informal ski program for beginning and intermediate skiers.The program involves indoor and outdoor instruction, lectures, and leadership training.
Mike has contributed immensely to people’s knowledge and enjoyment of our environment, and to the financial health of the chapter.
Lifetime Achievement Award (1) -- Lois Day
Lois deserves this award for her lively participation in many Club committees. For years she has performed the thankless task of preparing the Outings Leader newsletters for mailing.As an outings leader herself since 1993, she initiated a two level hike offering for the Wednesday in the Mtns section as well as coordinating leaders’ schedules for the group for nearly twenty years. She readily shares her extensive knowledge of native plants and wildlife to raise an awareness for the need to preserve and protect our precious environment. It is committed leaders of the caliber of Lois Day which makes the Sierra Club the respected organization it is today.
Lifetime Achievement Award (2) -- Jim Weinel
For many years, Jim has been a dedicated conservationist and volunteer. As a long-time COL, Jim’s trips were always interesting, well-planned and educational, as he is especially knowledgeable of flowers, trees and birds and always eager to share his knowledge. Jim has spent many hours over many years building and maintaining trails, besides being an active volunteer for the Pacific Crest Trail and Yosemite Associations. He was unable to receive his award in person tonight because fittingly enough, he is out of town doing trail maintenance work on the PCT this week. Jim epitomizes the Sierra Club philosophy and values.
Silver Cup Award -- Carol Murdock
Carol Murdock has served the Sierra Club in many capacities over many years. She has been Outings Editor of the Hi-Sierran and served on the Leadership and Outings committees. From 1979-81, she was elected to the Chapter Executive Committee with additional duties as the Secretary. She has lectured for the Wilderness Basics Course and for many years led both a car camp and desert backpack for the course.
As Medical Coordinator for the Chapter, she planned and organized the Wilderness First Aid Seminar held annually for more than twenty years. This important program allowed chapter outings leaders an opportunity to learn Advanced First Aid. She herself presented the Standard First Aid courses for the Chapter on a quarterly basis, and when she decided to retire from this position, found a replacement to carry on this very important role before moving on.
As a National Outings Leader, Carol exhibited an unbridled enthusiasm for hiking and planning backpacking trips lasting as long as a week. She has taken groups to the high Sierrras and to other states over a number of years. Her detailed preparation and coverage of necessary support services has led to sharing the beauty of the places she has discovered with literally hundreds of participants.
Over the years Carol has studied photography, specializing in outdoor subjects. She has entered and placed in the prize category of many competitions. Some of her winning photographs may be seen in the brochures of Mission Trails Regional Park and the Anza-Borrego State Park Calendar.
Indeed, the local chapter as well as the national Sierra Club have benefited greatly from the many talents and professional contributions of this active, personable and giving volunteer. She has strengthened the credibility of the Sierra Club and served as a role model in carrying out our motto of preserving, exploring and protecting the environment. Her sustaining leadership over so many years has been a standard by which we can all measure our own contributions.
| 
