WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton today announced winners of the 2004 National Take Pride in America Awards. Presented annually, Take Pride in America’s national awards recognize outstanding volunteer projects and efforts in a variety of categories. Today’s winners represent nine categories, with winners in other categories, including Corporate, Federal Land Manager and Outstanding Take Pride Partner, to be announced in September. All award winners will be honored at a Sept. 21 ceremony in Washington, D.C.

“The cornerstone of Take Pride is the belief that individuals need to be engaged to take responsibility for improving their community environment,” Norton said. “At Interior we call it ‘cooperative conservation,’ and Take Pride’s award-winning volunteers are helping to turn this philosophy into action.”

"Take Pride in America has grown by leaps and bounds, and I'm delighted at the number of nominations received for this year's awards program," said Marti Allbright, Take Pride in America executive director. "The 2004 winners certainly represent the best of our nation's public stewardship."

This year’s winners, in the following categories, include:

Faith Based

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; Mililani, Hawaii

Federal Volunteer Program

Trash Tracker Program; Page, Ariz.
Tumacacori National Historical Park; Tumacacori, Ariz.
BLM Roseburg District Volunteer Program; Roseburg, Ore.

Individual

Neil Patrick Flanagan; Washington, D.C.
Irene DeLaby; Homosassa Springs, Fla.

Local Government

PresqueIsle State Park Volunteers; Erie, Pa.
BountifulCity; Bountiful, Utah

Non-Profit

Friends of Lake Louisa State Park; Clermont, Fla.
Coastal Wildlife Club Inc.; Englewood, Fla.
Illinois Natural Area Guardians; Amboy, Ill.
Pacific Northwest Four Wheel Drive Association; Auburn, Wash.

Public/Private Partnership

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado; Denver, Colo.
Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition; Slippery Rock, Pa.

School

AinsworthNebraska Community School; Long Pine, Neb.

State

Take Pride in Utah; Salt Lake City, Utah

Youth

Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy; Augusta, Ga.
Boy Scout Troop #46; Winston, Ore.

The awards program is open to individuals and public and private groups that have contributed to the protection or enhancement of America’s historic sites, local playgrounds and other recreation areas. Winners are selected by a panel of reviewers from nominations received.

Take Pride in America is a national partnership that recruits, supports and recognizes volunteers who work to improve our public parks, forests, grasslands, reservoirs, wildlife refuges, cultural and historic sites, local playgrounds, and other recreation areas. With 100 Charter Partners, Take Pride involves federal, state and local governments; conservation, youth and recreation groups; and top national corporations and organizations. Together, we protect and enhance the special legacy all Americans share - our public lands that cover one in every three acres across the nation. For more information visit: www.TakePride.gov.

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