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Burton Races to the Call
“The way to get people to volunteer is to ask.”
June Hogg, NRCS Virginia Volunteer Coordinator
five-time NASCAR winner and NRCS Earth Team
volunteer Ward Burton |
Who would have thought that five-time NASCAR winner Ward Burton would
sign-up as an NRCS Earth Team volunteer? When asked by Virginia State
Conservationist M. Denise Doetzer, Burton gladly accepted an invitation to speak
at the NRCS luncheon held in conjunction with the Virginia Association of Soil
and Water Conservation Districts annual meeting. The native Virginian and 2002
Daytona 500 winner is also a passionate conservationist.
Growing up, Burton spent time hunting and fishing with his father and
grandfather. While still a pre-teen, he convinced his parents to drop him off in
a remote area each Friday after school. On Sunday, they returned to pick him up.
He learned how to get his own food and cook it without electricity or running
water. He developed a passion for the outdoors by learning about wildlife and
the balance of nature and decided to dedicate his life to natural resources
conservation.
His dedication continues today through the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation, a
fast-growing, education oriented, non-profit agency designed to support wildlife
conservation, habitat enhancement, and proper stewardship of America’s natural
resources.
After his talk, Burton eagerly signed up as an Earth Team volunteer;
“although we formed the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation here in Virginia, we
realize that across the country more are becoming aware of the need to protect
and preserve wildlife habitat. Our goal is to take that message nationwide,
working with Earth Team volunteers willing to help our program,” he said.
Your contact is Pat Paul, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 804-287-1681, or
pat.paul@va.usda.gov.
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