Michigan scouting councils earn NRC's Partner in Conservation Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2012

 

Contact: Ed Golder, 517-335-3014

                

NRC lauds Boy, Girl Scouts as conservation partners

 

In celebration of the 100^th anniversary of Girl Scouts, the Natural Resources Commission honored 10 Michigan Boy Scouts of America councils and four Girl Scouts of the USA councils with Partner in Conservation Awards at its April meeting.

 

The Boy Scouts reached the 100-year milestone in 2010.

 

Department of Natural Resources Director Rodney Stokes praised both scouting organizations for their contributions to Michigan conservation over the course of the last century, including recent efforts by Girl Scouts to replant pines at Muskegon State Game Area and the assistance of Boy Scouts in building a brick walkway at Walker Tavern during a 2007 “camporee.”

 

“There are few groups that have touched the lives of more of our citizens or promoted the outdoors more than these two scouting organizations,” Stokes said. “We’re pleased to recognize our longstanding partnership and hope to strengthen it as we head to the future.”

 

The NRC recognized the following councils:

 

Boy Scouts of America Great Sauk Trail Southwest Michigan Gerald R. Ford Chief Okemos Great Lakes Tall Pine Blue Water Lake Huron Area Scenic Trails Hiawathaland

Girl Scouts of the USA Shore to Shore Heart of Michigan Southeastern Michigan Northwestern Great Lakes

Partner in Conservation Awards are bestowed upon individuals or organizations that have been nominated by members of the DNR staff and have made outstanding contributions to conservation in Michigan. They have been presented almost monthly since 2004.

 

Learn more about the DNR’s partnership with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts – and the many ways these organizations have worked to improve habitat and air and water quality and support outdoor recreation activities at www.michigan.gov/dnrscouting.

 

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.  

 

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Note to editors: A photo of some of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts councils’ representatives receiving their awards is available.

Photo caption: Tim Nichols (third from left), chair of the Natural Resources Commission, joins Rodney Stokes (far right), director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, in presenting Partner in Conservation Awards to representatives of several Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts councils being honored at the April 5 NRC meeting in Lansing. Left to right are Michael Clegg and Nate Thorton, BSA Southwest Michigan Council; NRC Chair Nichols; Clarence Smith, BSA Chief Okemos Council; Dave Tubergen, BSA Gerald R. Ford Council; Thomas Newvine, BSA Tall Pine Council; Jamie Callahan, BSA Scenic Trails Council; Kim DeLong, Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes; Lyeh Furney, GSA Heart of Michigan Council; Bill Sengstock, GSA Southeastern Michigan Council; and DNR Director Stokes.

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