Jordan River NFH Project Leader Rick Westerhof poses for a photo with Andy Pavalek, one of the valuable volunteers at the hatchery. - FWS photo

This is for those of you who have not had the pleasure of meeting Rick Westerhof, Project Leader at Jordan River National Fish Hatchery in northwest Michigan.  Please bear with me while I dispel some myth and add to the legend. 

Rick has been with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the Service) for 6 years.  Prior to this he worked with National Marine Fisheries Service in Portland, Oregon.  Rick and his wife, Sigrid, were both born and raised in Michigan and decided to move their family back home.

Due to his experiences, training, mentors, character and personality, Rick has all of the qualities that are suitable to lead people.  Also, Rick is a “nice guy”, a real people person.  His innovations to an already existing volunteer program have created an environment of team work and success.  Rick will be the first to admit that he is a risk taker.  There is no question that most of us have at one time or another raised our eyebrows when it comes to “Rick’s people”. However, Rick’s ability to read a person’s character is uncanny. 

Over 70 volunteers have done the work of the Service at Jordan River NFH since 2000.  Many of them volunteer annually or for years at a time.  One man has been working once or twice per week for the past ten years.  The volunteer program at Jordan River, without question, is a model for all.  It seems that the word has spread like wildfire.  Jordan River NFH is a desirable work environment, provides great experience and the permanent staff are an incredible collection of resource professionals, who are, indeed, the lifeline of the program.    

Potential volunteers contact Rick or other staff via email, telephone, personal meetings, or many times, by word of mouth.  Rick spends time exploring the potential volunteer’s needs and personal situations.  Then staff members meet the candidate(s) informally when they come to the hatchery for a tour.  Together staff tailors a plan for a productive volunteer experience, which emphasizes benefits to the Service.  Rick then seeks out a staff member for a sponsor assignment.  The staff member acts as a mentor and sounding board during the tenure of the volunteer’s assignment.

There are many reasons why Jordan River National Fish Hatchery has such an incredibly strong volunteer program.  However, the biggest reason for the success is the philosophical principle behind the program.  Rick’s philosophy is that “you take care of people”.   We adhere to the simplest rule of all; treat others as you would have them treat you.  Volunteers become “part of the family”.  We all stick to the plan too.  The volunteers get the chance to be involved in many diverse experiences. We don’t dump work on the volunteers, and they in turn, perform far above and beyond expectations.  Work experiences are often coordinated with other Service offices or even other resource agencies.  The program continues to work well for us!  For more information about the volunteer opportunities at Jordan River Hatchery visit us on the web at www.fws.gov/midwest/jordanriver or contact Rick Westerhof at 231-584-2461.