Two equestrian groups and a middle school student are among the volunteers honored Tuesday at the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board meeting in Brooksville.
The volunteers, who take part in the District’s Land Resources Volunteer Program, received the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a national honor that recognizes volunteer dedication and signifies that each volunteer has served the community and country with distinction.
The Flatlanders is an equestrian club from Polk County. The group, which accumulated 890 volunteer hours, was recognized for its continuing work to maintain public use opportunities at the Hampton Tract in Green Swamp East. Members assisted with cutting, trimming, and mowing vegetation on the property, which helped create a campground and scenic riding trails for public recreation users. The group also continues to contribute a substantial number of volunteer hours to keep several trails on District lands accessible. The Flatlanders has received previous awards from this program in recognition of its continuous support of District lands.
The Southcreek Equestrians is an equestrian club from Pasco County. The group, which accumulated 1,243 volunteer hours, was recognized for its continuing work to help maintain quality equestrian trails and public use areas. Property it helps maintain includes the Oakridge equestrian area in Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Park, the Alston Tract at the Upper Hillsborough property and the Gilley Creek Tract in the Ed Chance Reserve in Manatee County. The group is always diligent and eager to provide volunteers to cut, trim and mow
vegetation on District lands. The South Creek Equestrian Group has received previous awards from this program in recognition of its continuous support of District lands.
Kyle DeVary is a Hernando County student who attends Parrott Middle School. He was recognized for contributing 80 volunteer hours. Both of his parents, who work at the District, encouraged his strong interest in conservation lands. DeVary helped during the construction of the Withlapopka Nature Park, located within the Flying Eagle project in Citrus County, by picking up trash and clearing away debris and brush to install picnic tables, grills, and trash cans. He also helped establish a trail at the park, which he helps maintain at least twice a year. DeVary has also helped maintain trails on other District land.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is awarded through the “Take Pride in Florida/Take Pride in America” program. Each volunteer or group received a congratulatory letter from President George W. Bush, a congratulatory letter from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participants, a formal award certificate and a commemorative pin.
According to the Points of Light Foundation, a nationwide volunteer network clearing house, the volunteers awarded this honor saved the District between $10 and $18 an hour in labor costs for each hour they volunteered. That’s a savings of between $22,285 to $39,945.
“The District is grateful for all its volunteers who help restore, maintain and enhance recreational opportunities on District land,” said Eric Sutton, assistant land resources director. “Their efforts help us do more while keeping costs down.”