Volunteers' Efforts Recognized

Volunteers for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Upper Snake Region were recognized at a recent awards banquet in Idaho Falls. Jo Cobb, an AmeriCorps volunteer and volunteer coordinator for Fish and Game's Upper Snake Region, recognized the efforts of 214 individuals who donated more than 3,500 hours, valued at $40,000, to Fish and Game projects. "Randy Poole was awarded Volunteer of the Year 2006. Randy put in over 200 hours this year," Cobb said. In addition to Poole, Kevin Buchholz, Jay Mincher, Bobby Stevens, Art Svejda, Bob Woods, Bruno Jachman, John Maupin, Errol Mobley and Jim Greenhalgh were recognized as the top 10 volunteers. The fisheries bureau recognized Ron Hover, Duane O'Reilly and Art Svejda as outstanding volunteers. And the wildlife bureau recognized Jim Porter for his service dealing with injured birds. "Volunteers have had the opportunity to help with administration, photography, check stations, spawning, gillnetting, teaching kids to fish, installing weirs, and other fisheries projects," Cobb said. They also help with many other projects that benefit the native wildlife of Idaho, she said. While people don't volunteer to help wildlife for monetary rewards, more than 20 businesses donated items to be awarded as prizes at the banquet. "We wanted to thank everyone for helping out, so we made sure no one went home empty-handed," Cobb said. And anyone interested in being a volunteer can take part, she said. Cobb came to Idaho from Southern California in 2005 and graduated from BYU-Idaho in the spring of 2005 with a bachelor's degree in biology. She began her term with AmeriCorps in January. To learn more about becoming a volunteer for Fish and Game, contact Jo Cobb at 525-7290 or jcobb@idfg.idaho.gov.