Local Friends group receives national Public Lands Foundation Award
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LAS CRUCES, N.M. – On October 25, the Public Land Foundation (PLF) presented its 2018 Landscape Stewardship Award to the Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks. The award was presented to the Friends’ Executive Director Patrick Nolan and the Board of Directors by PLF Director-at-Large Rosemary Thomas and PLF State Representative Jesse Juen at a Friends’ board meeting in Las Cruces, NM.
“The PLF is pleased to recognize and honor the Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks for their work to advance and sustain the outstanding public landscapes encompassed in the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument,” said Thomas. “They have been an excellent partner to the Bureau of Land Management in their Monument management and we appreciate their commitment to this special landscape for the use and enjoyment of all public land users,” Thomas added.
"The Friends of the Organ Mountains Desert Peaks is beyond honored to receive this award from the Public Lands Foundation. We, along with our partners at the Bureau of Land Management, share a deep respect for our public lands and a shared mission to protect them for generations to come. Thank you Public Lands Foundation and BLM for your support and commitment to public lands and the Organ Mountains Desert-Peaks National Monument," said Friends Executive Director Patrick Nolan.
The Friends selection of this annual award was also based on their stewardship efforts with local and national businesses to collaborate with other partner organizations in support of the BLM’s mission. Their nomination highlighted the Friends work with the Southern New Mexico Trail Alliance on the Monumental Trails Program; the Native Plant Society’s Dripping Springs Visitor Center Educational Pollinator Garden Program; and the Friends/BLM – Artist in Residence Partnership, Organ Mountain Naturepalooza and “Leave No Trace” Training Program. Through these partnerships, the Friends have exemplified their leadership, vision and mission to “enrich our community and diverse cultures through advocacy, conservation and restoration of the Monument, as a premier example of America’s National Conservation Lands.”
According to BLM Las Cruces District Manager Bill Childress, “the Friends have been extremely helpful to the BLM District and Monument staff in so many ways, including the organization of several volunteer cleanup events each year. In addition, they have done so much to enhance the Monument’s recreational opportunities, including leading interpretative hikes. The Friends are truly deserving of this national recognition,” Childress said.
The annual PLF Landscape Stewardship Award is given to private citizens and organizations that support community-based stewardship on landscapes that include, in whole or part, public lands administered by the BLM. The PLF advocates and works for the retention of America’s public lands in public hands, professionally and sustainably managed for responsible common use and enjoyment.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.