Kudos to Dwan Garrison for winning the Arkansas Trails Council “Trails Advocate of the Year” award…
Dwan is indeed a real cheerleader for Arkansas trails and a catalyst for getting things done. She has contributed over 500 hours of Master Naturalist volunteer service hours and has scored numerous accomplishments as President of NCAMN, having established a public presence and organized an impressive number of projects for our year-old chapter. She is impassioned and tireless when it comes to efforts on behalf of managing environmental resources and making our natural world a better place. The following are some of Dwan’s leading achievements with NCAMN:

·         Trails

o    maintenance

o   ice storm clean-up

o   development and bridge building

o   interpretation

·         Bull Shoals-White River State Park

o   wildflower garden development and maintenance

o   planting of trees and shrubs

o   outline for a Biological Resource Inventory

o   support for school group interpretive tours and nature activities

·         Projects & Programs

o   procurement of  grant to establish a stream team; stream selection to monitor water quality

o   establishment of web site

o   advanced training:  continuing education for master naturalists

o   recruitment: 28 new master naturalists

o   basic training: classes for naturalists-in-training

o   partnership with David’s Trail Foundation for event on Arkansas Trail Day to encourage an active outdoor lifestyle within the community

·         Coalition Building/Partners

o   Bull Shoals-White River State Park

o   U.S. Corps of Engineers

o   Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

o   Fred Berry Conservation & Education Center

o   David’s Trail Foundation

·         Public Relations

o   newspaper interview: highlighted with a front page feature story for Stream Team

o   TV interview: Arkansas Trails Day promotion

No one can be around Dwan long without being motivated by her enthusiasm, energy and determination.  Dwan is a gifted leader with an extraordinary ability to inspire others to make a difference… she is the newly elected 2010-2011 President of Arkansas Master Naturalists (AMN). Congratulations, Dwan, on this well-deserved recognition!