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During a recent visit to Cheyenne, Wyo., Bureau of Land Management Director Neil Kornze presented national awards to several BLM Wyoming employees."These awards acknowledge outstanding leadership, dedicated stewardship, successful collaboration efforts, and innovative approaches," Kornze said.The first recipients were Rubel Vigil and Silvia Kraft, 2013 recipients of the Director's Diversity Award.Vigil and Kraft promoted diversity through hiring a Native American youth crew from the Wind River Indian Reservation (WRIR) in central Wyoming. The program provides the opportunity for the youth crew members to enjoy a positive employment experience while making improvements to public lands. The students discover life away from their homes in a safe environment.Through their work the students gain confidence and a respect for nature. In addition to completing important public lands projects, the crew members are exposed to the roles and responsibilities of a federal natural resource agency and future employment opportunities available to them.They not only work with the students throughout the summer program, they also recruit for the program and build upon the important partnership that the BLM has with the WRIR. Alvin Spoonhunter, one of the WRIR students, also attended the ceremony. He has worked three summers now thanks to this BLM program.Teresa Johnson was another recipient of the Director's Diversity Award. Johnson promotes BLM's Special Emphasis Programs, which increases awareness and participation at the High Plains District Office, Casper Field Office, National Historic Trails Interpretive Center and the Wyoming State Office.Although this role is collateral duty for Johnson, she takes the initiative, often on her own time, to find and acquire films and organize presentations and events that not only promote diversity, but are diverse themselves.Scott Fluer was presented the Director's Spirit of Service Award. Fluer is the Wild Horse and Burro specialist for the Lander Field Office and monitors seven wild horse herd management areas. He coordinates with the Wyoming Honor Farm regarding training and is the BLM coordinator for Mustang Days at the Wyoming State Fair. Fluer has been instrumental in completing six wild horse gathers, averaging 800-900 horses gathered each time. This process also includes freeze branding, obtaining hair samples for genetic testing, and in many cases, fertility treatments.After presenting the awards, Director Kornze hosted an all-employees meeting with the Wyoming State Office staff.Director Award winners photo caption: Scott Fluer, Silvia Kraft, BLM Wyoming State Director Don Simpson, Rubel Vigil, BLM Director Neil Kornze, and Teresa Johnson.