Springville, Tenn.–The Friends of Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge have won a top national award for its support of the refuge system.
The National Wildlife Refuge Association has announced the Friends of Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge as the 2019 Molly Krival National Wildlife Refuge System Friends Group of the Year. Named to honor the late Molly Krival, a pioneer in the Refuge Friends Group movement, the award recognizes outstanding contributions by a group of dedicated volunteers in Friends organizations who provide essential services to the Refuge System.
“The Friends of Tennessee NWR embodies a strong positive influence within the refuge and the surrounding community. They support the refuge with whatever they might need out of love for the refuge, its staff and wildlife that call it home. The Friends have worked tirelessly to help their refuge grow and prosper, and we are proud to present them with this esteemed award.” said Geoffrey Haskett, President of the National Wildlife Refuge Association.
Several members of the Friends group will be traveling to receive this award, which includes a $2,000 check at a special ceremony held on February 27th in Washington, DC. Kimi Fitzhugh, president of the Friends of the Tennessee NWR said “It’s a huge honor for the Friends of Tennessee NWR to be selected as the 2019 Friends of the Year. Being selected out of 233 Friends groups nationwide is exciting and came as a surprise to all of us. The Friends TNWR have had great leadership since it began in 2005 and it is the past leadership that shaped the group we have today. I am fortunate to be associated with this Friends group and the Fish and Wildlife Service staff.”
The Annual National Wildlife Refuge System Awards are held to exemplify the outstanding conservation management skills and volunteer leadership found throughout the Refuge System. The annual awards honor the Refuge Manager, Refuge Employee, Refuge Volunteer and Friends Group of the Year. “We are extremely proud to honor these individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to enhancing and protecting America’s national wildlife refuges,” said Haskett. “They are an inspiration to all of us to remain positive and continue protecting and enhancing the National Wildlife Refuge System.”
“We are so proud of the hard work of all the current and former members of the Friends of Tennessee NWR and the many accomplishments of the group.” said Crawford. “We are honored they have been recognized by the National Wildlife Refuge Association as the Friends Group of the year. We are excited for all the Friends Members and I want to thank everyone for their support of Tennessee and Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuges.”
“I couldn’t be more proud, pleased and excited for the Friends to receive this national honor.” said Howe. “But honestly, they deserve every recognition they get for the tireless effort they extend to help all aspects of their refuge. We keep telling folks in the refuge system that we have the BEST Friends group, now they are formally recognized!”
The National Wildlife Refuge Association has announced the Friends of Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge as the 2019 Molly Krival National Wildlife Refuge System Friends Group of the Year. Named to honor the late Molly Krival, a pioneer in the Refuge Friends Group movement, the award recognizes outstanding contributions by a group of dedicated volunteers in Friends organizations who provide essential services to the Refuge System.
“The Friends of Tennessee NWR embodies a strong positive influence within the refuge and the surrounding community. They support the refuge with whatever they might need out of love for the refuge, its staff and wildlife that call it home. The Friends have worked tirelessly to help their refuge grow and prosper, and we are proud to present them with this esteemed award.” said Geoffrey Haskett, President of the National Wildlife Refuge Association.
Several members of the Friends group will be traveling to receive this award, which includes a $2,000 check at a special ceremony held on February 27th in Washington, DC. Kimi Fitzhugh, president of the Friends of the Tennessee NWR said “It’s a huge honor for the Friends of Tennessee NWR to be selected as the 2019 Friends of the Year. Being selected out of 233 Friends groups nationwide is exciting and came as a surprise to all of us. The Friends TNWR have had great leadership since it began in 2005 and it is the past leadership that shaped the group we have today. I am fortunate to be associated with this Friends group and the Fish and Wildlife Service staff.”
The Annual National Wildlife Refuge System Awards are held to exemplify the outstanding conservation management skills and volunteer leadership found throughout the Refuge System. The annual awards honor the Refuge Manager, Refuge Employee, Refuge Volunteer and Friends Group of the Year. “We are extremely proud to honor these individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to enhancing and protecting America’s national wildlife refuges,” said Haskett. “They are an inspiration to all of us to remain positive and continue protecting and enhancing the National Wildlife Refuge System.”
“We are so proud of the hard work of all the current and former members of the Friends of Tennessee NWR and the many accomplishments of the group.” said Crawford. “We are honored they have been recognized by the National Wildlife Refuge Association as the Friends Group of the year. We are excited for all the Friends Members and I want to thank everyone for their support of Tennessee and Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuges.”
“I couldn’t be more proud, pleased and excited for the Friends to receive this national honor.” said Howe. “But honestly, they deserve every recognition they get for the tireless effort they extend to help all aspects of their refuge. We keep telling folks in the refuge system that we have the BEST Friends group, now they are formally recognized!”