Local Boy Scout receives Landscape Stewardship Award and Recognition from National Conservation Foundation

Contact: Rachel Tueller, Public Affairs Officer
Phone: 435-865-3032 or E-mail: Rachel_Tueller@blm.gov

Cedar City, Utah—November 3, 2008—Beaver, Utah resident D.J. Palmer was recognized by the Public Lands Foundation (PLF) for his leadership efforts in spearheading a community based landscape clean up project on public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). 

“D.J. Palmer has shown extraordinary initiative as a Boy Scout organizing a volunteer effort to remove litter near the local landfill and relocate it to the appropriate location” said Art Tait, PLF representative during a special award ceremony hosted at the Cedar City Bureau of Land Management offices Monday to recognize Palmer. The recognition included a special commendation and certificate or citation of appreciation from the PLF, a national non-profit organization which honors the efforts of citizens who work to advance and sustain community-based stewardship on landscapes that include public lands administered by BLM.  

“In seeking to fulfill the requirements of his Eagle Scout project, DJ Palmer went far beyond the basic scouting requirements.  D.J. knew the effort would not be a simple cleanup project and that the undertaking would require many hands,” Tait said adding that Palmer spent numerous hours recruiting Boy Scout volunteers and coordinating with local businesses and the  county to garner their assistance in the spirit of a ‘good neighbor effort’.

“As a result, Palmer’s vision and long standing coordination efforts brought together more than 50 Boy Scout volunteers on the ground, garnered the assistance of a local auto body shop which hauled the rusted cars to the official landfill site and gained the full support of the county which transferred the large appliances and old machinery to the landfill. For participants, including volunteer Boy Scouts, county leaders and employees and private business owners, Palmer’s leadership, coordination efforts and sheer enthusiasm to complete the effort and do something good for the community speaks volumes,” said Tait adding, “we are so pleased to be able to honor him for his efforts today.”

According to Tait, the purpose of the PLF, “is to promote and encourage these kinds of vitally important public volunteer efforts and to maintain a focus on the many values and management needs of our Public Lands.”

Last month, Palmer was also recognized with awards which were accompanied by letters of appreciation from both BLM Director Jim Caswell and Utah State Director Selma Sierra, for his efforts which served his community and contributed to the enhancement of public lands.

The Public Lands Foundation is a national non-profit organization, which is made up predominately of retired Bureau of Land Management employees, that advocates and works for the retention of Public Lands in public hands, professionally and sustainably managed for the responsible common use and enjoyment of the American people.

For more information on the award and the Public Lands Foundation contact
Tom Allen Phone: (775) 752-2130 or by E-mail: tjccinnv@ctnis.com