Annual Recognition event for DNR volunteers and staff
Each year volunteers are honored and thanked by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at an annual awards ceremony and reception.  Our volunteers turn their love of the outdoors and hobbies into service opportunities that help the agency manage our natural resources during tough budget times.  In 2009 we had an estimated 20,000 volunteers contributing approximately 80,000 hours.  The value these volunteers bring the Department is an estimated $ 2 million.

Outstanding Individual Volunteer Award recipient, Mike Butler of Soldier, Iowa was presented an award for his outstanding leadership of over 10 years with Lewis and Clark State Park.  Nominees included:  Rory Willet, Cedar Falls; Bill Wait, Waterloo; Warren Mitchell, Aurelia; Steve O’Hollearn, Ames; Steve and Kathy Haakenson, Eagle Grove.  Frank Rickerl, DNR accepting the award for Mike Butler

Outstanding Special Project Award recipient:  The Friends of the Mines of Spain state park for raising $1.8 million to expand and renovate the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center, which is now a LEED certified facility.  Rudy Pruszko accepting the award for the Friends of the Mines of Spain

 Outstanding Volunteer Group Award recipient: The Friends of Mini-Wakan State Park of Spirit Lake (Spirit Lake Protective Association).  The Friends group raised over $930,000 to preserve a Civilian Conservation Corps shelter along with adding the entire park to the National Register of Historic Places.  The other nominee for this award Buena Vista County Hunter Safety Education.  Joe Ulhman accepting for the Friends of Mini Wakan State Park
   
Campground Host Recognition
As the summer comes to a close and campers start to pack up and return home or for a trip south for the winter, we meet to thank our campground hosts for an excellent season of volunteering.  All DNR campground hosts are invited to celebrate the unofficial close of a gorgeous summer in Iowa.  Each year these crucial volunteers provide needed assistance, direction, and information at state parks to thousands of visitors.  Year after year we have new and returning hosts that are invaluable to us and for that we can't say "THANKS" enough.