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News Release

State and Regional Volunteers of the Year Recognized

Richmond, VA — Volunteers are critical to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries' (VDGIF) ability to fulfill its mission to manage wildlife populations, promote safety and provide opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fish, boating and related outdoor recreation. Through VDGIF's Complementary Work Force, a volunteer program that was launched two years ago, private citizens help the agency's biologists, conservation police officers and other professional staff by performing a wide array of tasks ranging from stocking trout to staffing exhibits.

The value of the program to the Department has been tremendous. Since being launched, volunteers have logged in more than 7,600 service hours with an estimated value of more than $155,000.

To express appreciation for the contributions of these valuable volunteers, VDGIF recognized the top volunteers of the year by region and selected from those individuals a single Volunteer of the Year. All the volunteers bring impressive experience, skills and dedication to the program.

The 2009 Volunteer of Year for Region I, which is the Tidewater area of Virginia, is Hugh Jones of Aylett, Virginia. Hugh became a volunteer in April 2008, and received training in crop damage inspections and the damage permit program. Hugh lives not far from VDGIF's King and Queen Fish Hatchery where he works weekly assisting with general maintenance, grass cutting, fish stocking and whatever else needs to be done. He's always looking for additional ways to volunteer and has compiled more volunteer hours than any other volunteer in the region. Hugh is a retired electrical engineer. His talents include carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work, all useful at a fish hatchery. His supervisor at the hatchery praises his work and places high value on his contribution to the operations of the facility. He's a self starter with high energy and is able to work independently. For all these reasons, Hugh Jones was selected Volunteer of the Year for Region I.

The 2009 Volunteer of the Year for Region IV, which is the Shenandoah Valley, is Frank Showalter of Timberville, Virginia. Frank is one of a group of original Complementary Work Force volunteers, initially dubbed "The Bucket Brigade" for their trout stocking work in the Valley. Frank, a farmer and owner of Showalter Slaughter House and Meat Processing and Franko's BBQ catering company, brings a lot of character to the program as well as a reputation as a hard worker. He is highly regarded by his fellow volunteers and VDGIF employees. In 2003, Frank donated many hours stocking trout and assisting with the coordination and logistics of stocking dates. Because trout stocking work is seasonal, Frank also received training on issuance of damage permits. Along with this training, Frank's years of experience as a farmer gave him such insight in conducting damage inspections and issuing permits that he now provides on-the-job training to other volunteers in that work. Frank Showalter has also received training in nuisance wildlife and assisted with numerous stream cleanups and trail maintenance work days. For all these reasons, he is an excellent choice for Volunteer of the Year for Region IV.

The 2009 Volunteer of the Year for Region V, which includes a region from Richmond north to Northern Virginia, is Patricia Wood of Fairfax Station, Virginia. Patricia volunteered at the first available opportunity in Fairfax County in January 2008, at the Sportsmen's Show, and has been going strong ever since. Patricia excels at the educational side of volunteering, often taking on the role of "lead volunteer" for agency exhibits and events. She not only helps set up and organize an exhibit, she also helps with orientation of new volunteers. Patricia has staffed boat shows and outdoor shows in Richmond, Fredericksburg and Chantilly, has helped with the VDGIF sponsored National Archery in the Schools tournament; the State Fair; the Prince William County Fair, the Herndon NatureFest and more. Patricia Wood demonstrates this commitment to the Department all the while keeping up with her course load as she works towards a Bachelor's of Science degree in Parks and Outdoor Recreation. She also works part-time for the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge and still performs her fulltime job as executive assistant to the Chairman and CEO of Long and Foster Real Estate.

In this last year, Patricia has participated in Department training on wildlife damage inspections, Project Wild, habitat facilitation, and nuisance wildlife. Not only did she take the nuisance wildlife training but also helped set up and prepare refreshments and lunch for the more than 50 class participants and instructors, putting in 14 hours on Saturday and working exhibit shifts on both Friday and Sunday. Patricia is currently scheduled to teach a Habitat Facilitator Training course and a Project Wild Facilitator Training session for this fall.

Patricia travels to Alaska each year as a volunteer with the Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges. She is very involved on the membership committee of that organization and is a past board member as the secretary and membership chair. She is using her experience with that group to lay the groundwork for forming an association of CWF volunteers which is still in the works. For her extraordinary contributions to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Patricia Wood has also been named the Complementary Work Force 2009 Volunteer of the Year.

"I like everything about working in wildlife and conservation as a volunteer," said Patricia Wood. "Volunteering is a way that I can express my love of nature to others. My volunteer reward is what I feel inside my heart when I can help someone learn about nature and want to protect if for the future."

VDGIF's Complementary Work Force has had a tremendous impact on the agency's ability to work towards its mission. These fine individuals are examples of the high caliber people participating in the program. Anyone interested in joining this impressive team, can learn more by visiting the agency's website at www.dgif.virginia.gov/volunteer or by calling CWF Coordinator Susan Alger at (703) 481-2102.

It is the mission of the VDGIF to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth; to provide opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fish, boating and related outdoor recreation and to work diligently to safeguard the rights of the people to hunt, fish and harvest game as provided for in the Constitution of Virginia; to promote safety for persons and property in connection with boating, hunting and fishing; to provide educational outreach programs and materials that foster an awareness of and appreciation for Virginia's fish and wildlife resources, their habitats, and hunting, fishing, and boating opportunities.