2023 Volunteer Awards!

Join us in celebrating our volunteers!

(Awardees are listed in no particular order)

Volunteer of the Year
In recognition of outstanding volunteer service for Sonoran Desert protection
in as many varied and worthy ways as there are species in the desert.
Pat and Henry Miller

This year we are recognizing an amazing volunteer duo: Pat and Henry
Miller. Pat Miller has been incredibly effective at advocating and
organizing in Oro Valley to find the best solution to the fencing gaps near
the Oracle Road wildlife underpass, fixing erosion issues, and supporting
revegetation and interpretive signage for the crossings. Henry Miller is not
only a Desert Monitor but also a Desert Roadies team leader, and he never
misses a Highway Clean Up event.
The desert is a more wild and beautiful place thanks to Pat and Henry!

Fifth Season in the Desert Award
In recognition of 5 years of volunteer service for Sonoran Desert protection, an achievement as welcome to desert dwellers as the monsoon season that thunders in after the hot, dry summer.
Samantha Wilbur, Vicki Ettleman, Joanne Devereaux, Carol Bull, Dean Chapman

Crepuscular Bobcat Award
In recognition of outstanding volunteer service for Sonoran Desert protection, exceeding 50 hours of time and skill in the last year, as active as a bobcat roaming morning, noon, and night.
Keith Kleber, Christine DeMatteo, Barbara Rose, Virgil Swadley, Joanne Devereaux, Lois Richardson

Jackrabbit of all Trades Award
In recognition of outstanding volunteer service for Sonoran Desert protection by
performing two or more different volunteer roles in the last year.
Christine DeMatteo, Jane “Middy” Henke, Virgil Swadley, Carl Boswell, Henry Miller, Julliette Duncan, Lois Richardson, Mai Schaefer, Kieth Kleber

Desert Deer Identification Award
In recognition of outstanding volunteer service for Sonoran Desert protection by sharpening your skills as an expert in Odocoileus species identification.
Jane “Middy” Henke, Gay Russell, The Reid Park Zoo Crew

Desert Roadies Roadkill Award
In recognition of outstanding volunteer service for Sonoran Desert protection to create a world where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned.

Henry Miller, Virgil Swadley, Keith Kleber, Sami Hammer, Matt Clark

Harris’s Hawk Teamwork Award
In recognition of seamless volunteer teamwork in service of Sonoran Desert protection, an achievement as outstanding as a group Harris’s hawks cooperatively back-standing one on top of the other.

TEAM MALLOW (Vicki Ettleman, Kristi Lewis),
TEAM SAGUARO (Andres & Ruben Martinez),
TEAM CRATTY (Clive Probert, Harold Wood)

Javelina Squadron Leader Award
In recognition of outstanding volunteer service for Sonoran Desert protection by
recruiting new volunteers and passing on your knowledge as a mentor and instructor, like the intrepid leader of a squadron of javelina.

Breanne Quattlander, Andrea Hoerr, Aimee Alvira, Carrie Dean, Mike Froenher

Bighorn Sheep Pathfinder Award
In recognition of outstanding volunteer service for Sonoran Desert protection by
traversing over rough terrain, changing elevations, and long distances off-trail to reach disparate sites and scout new locations, sometimes crossing mountain ranges like a bighorn setting off on a long journey.

Bruce Gungle, Raynor Vandeven

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