News Release

For Release: November 21, 2008
Contact: Stephanie Connolly (208) 962-3245

National Award Presented to Cottonwood Archeologist

Cottonwood, ID – David Sisson, Archaeologist for the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Coeur d’Alene District was awarded the BLM’s 2008 Gold Award for “Excellence in Interpretation and Environmental Education.”   Sisson, a 29-year veteran with the BLM stationed in Cottonwood, Idaho, was selected from a slate of nominees by a review panel comprised of BLM staff and partner-group representatives.  The award was presented during the 2008 National Association for Interpretation’s Workshop in Portland, Oregon on November 13 2008.

According to Gary Cooper, BLM’s Coeur d’Alene District Manager, “This prestigious award recognizes David’s exceptional work with partners and communities to create interpretive and educational experiences and materials for public lands users.  His accomplishments in 2008 highlight these partnership efforts involving local schools, the Nez Perce Tribe, Oregon State University, and may other organizations.” 

Examples of Sisson’s 2008 accomplishments include:
· Nez Perce Quiz Cards - a 24-card set that addresses Nez Perce Tribal life before the Nez Perce War of 1877, various aspects of archeology and natural history, and hazards of abandoned mine sites -- all of which may be encountered when visiting public lands.  This project included students from the Prairie Elementary fourth grade classes in Cottonwood, ID; the cultural department of the Nez Perce Tribe; staff/students from the Oregon State University Department of Anthropology; and BLM staff.
· Lower Salmon River Cultural Resources Website:  http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/prog/cultural/lower_salmon_river.html which provides an overview of the last 12,000 years of cultural history in the river canyon.  The website highlights the 2008 archaeological field school conducted at a site along the Salmon River and contains links to additional Idaho cultural history.
· Oregon State University cost-share project – An archaeological field school, conducted by OSU at a cultural site along the Salmon River, allowed students to provide briefings and tours of the excavation to visitors.  They shared important historic information about the area as well as their findings during the excavation.  Over 160 people representing 23 states, the District of Columbia, and three foreign countries (United Kingdom, France, and Austria) stopped at this remote area.  A video of the field school compiled from the sequenced photos taken during the excavation can be seen on YouTube. 

Cooper continued, “These examples illustrate Sisson’s commitment to involve partners in the development of products to share environmental and education information in a variety of ways with the public.”

—BLM—