2005 Volunteer of the Year Gary Hawthorne introduces 2006 Volunteer of the Year Wayne Olson. - FWS photo

An annual volunteer banquet was held May 1, to celebrate accomplishments and dedication to Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge.  More than 45 individuals participated in the festivities held at the Speak Easy Restaurant in Detroit Lakes. 

The theme for the evening, in honor of Rachel Carson’s 100^th birthday, was how volunteers make an impact on visitors and others by sharing in the “Sense of Wonder” of the natural world.  Whether delivering an interpretive program, leading a refuge tour, teaching children how to view and respect wildlife, welcoming visitors at the front desk, counting loons, or building wildlife observation decks, volunteers make a difference in the lives of our visitors and in turn the wildlife that call Tamarac home.

The evening commenced with a film on the life of Rachel Carson who so successfully motivated others to take action.  Volunteer Coordinator Janice Bengtson, in acknowledgement of the difference volunteers do make, read a brief story:

An old man walked up a shore littered with thousands of starfish, beached and dying after a storm. A young man was picking them up and flinging them back into the ocean. “Why do you bother?” the old man scoffed. “You’re not saving enough to make a difference.” The young man picked up another starfish and sent it spinning back to the water.  “Made a difference to that one,” he said.

Individuals were recognized for their personal talents, specific projects and future interests as well as reaching their volunteer hour milestones.  In 2006, 38,000 volunteers donated 1,500,000 hours – valued at over 25 million dollars!  Here at Tamarac, over 209 people volunteered their time, including 56 people who volunteer on a regular basis. In 2006, 3860 hours were donated with a value of 25,000 dollars!

Special honors in the form of the Regional Director’s Award were bestowed on volunteer Denis Mudderman for reaching 1000 hours of service.  These hours were accumulated in just a short time for Denis began volunteering in October of 2005. Denis has become our friend’s organization “Web Master.” He designed and launched the Tamarac Interpretive Association website.  Currently, he maintains and updates that website regularly. He has done an incredible job with much enthusiasm and creativity. He also serves as our event photographer capturing those moments that in the past we missed. In addition, he has just become the newest board member of the organization as technology chair. With his many computer savvy skills, Denis has taken the organization a big step forward in promoting the refuge and communicating the organization’s mission, goals, and accomplishments.  Denis is always thinking of new ways to involve other volunteers in promoting the refuge. 

2005 Volunteer of the Year Gary Hawthorne introduced the 2006 volunteer of the year Wayne Olson.  Wayne has been volunteering since 2003. In 2004, he became a TIA board member. Since then, he has accumulated over 365 hours. With his business background, he took on the challenging role of TIA treasurer. In this rapidly growing organization, he has stepped up to the plate in determining a budget that reflects both the mission of TIA and Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge. He also took on a more prominent role as store manager and buyer.  His enthusiastic shopping skills have been put to good use in the bookstore. He has also provided a wealth of retail knowledge to a refuge staff of wildlife and natural resource specialists.  His thoughtfulness and humor have been greatly appreciated during this transition.

The ceremony concluded with a special remembrance for Jim Hartness and Ted Schaum – two volunteers who quite unexpectantly passed away this year.